Sunday, December 29, 2019

To What Extent are the Stock Markets Overvalued - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 9 Words: 2794 Downloads: 6 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Economics Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Introduction Stock markets are considered to be among the most preferred investment platforms by investors, as they generate a high return on investment (Fong, 2014). There are many underlying reasons for this high return, one of which may be the valuation of the financial commodities traded in the stock market (Chang, 2005). Some financial analysts believe that the stock markets are extremely overvalued (Phoenix, 2014), while there are others who consider them as being slightly overvalued (Rosenberg, 2010). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "To What Extent are the Stock Markets Overvalued?" essay for you Create order Another school of thought has a viewpoint that they are fairly valued (Wolf, 2008); while, some hold the opinion that they are undervalued (Pan, 2009). Due to these differences in viewpoints, it becomes difficult to gauge the extent to which stock markets are overvalued. The reasons for these differences in opinions are the different geographical locations (Tan, Gan and Li, 2010) and the different assumptions made in comparisons (Cheng and Li, 2015). The difference in the methods used for valuation also turns out to be one of the reasons, as every method has its merits and demerits (Khan, 2002). Stock market overvaluation may have severe negative effects including a market crash or increasing organisations agency costs, which need to be considered by managers in organization-wide strategic management (Jensen, 2005). Methods used for Stock Valuation Various methods are used for stock valuation; some of the common ones include Price to Earnings ratio (Stowe et al., 2008), Knowledge Capital Earnings (Ujwary-Gil, 2014) and Dividend Discount Model (Adiya, 2010). The price to earnings ratio is the most common method used to evaluate stock markets, whereby the companys current stock price is compared with the predicted earnings it will yield in future (Stowe et al., 2008). Knowledge Capital Earnings KCE is another method through which a companys intellectual capital can be gauged and interpretation of the extent to which it is overvalued can be given (Ujwary-Gil, 2014). The KCE method, however, is specifically subjective if the analyst is interested in estimating the potential future earnings of an organization (Ujwary-Gil, 2014). The Dividend Discount Model is based on the assumption that the price of a stock at equilibrium will be equal to the sum of all its upcoming dividend yields discounted back to its current value (Ivanov ski, Ivanovska and Narasanov, 2015). One of the shortcomings of this model is with the companys growth estimation, in which the averaged historical rates do not provide an accurate picture, as they ignore the ongoing economic conditions and the changes that take place in the company (Ivanovski, Ivanovska and Narasanov, 2015). Another issue identified by Mishkin, Matthews and Giuliodori (2013) is related to the accuracy of dividends forecasted based on the companys past performance and the predicted future trends of the market; critics cast doubts on the accuracy of these figures, as they are purely based on estimation of analysts and may not be always correct. Stock Markets are Extremely Overvalued Hussman (2014), who is well-known for his accurate insights about the financial markets, comments in one of his speeches that due to their Zero Interest Rate and Quantitative Easing policies, the central banks have driven the stock prices up to twice as high as they are supposed to be. This imparts the stock markets to be overvalued by 100%. While different authors argue that every evaluation metric has its merits and demerits, which makes it difficult to conclude whether stock markets are overvalued when calculated via a specific metric, a Phoenix (2014) report provides evidence of the fact that stock markets are overvalued by almost every metric used for valuation. According to Autore, Boulton and Alves (2015), short interest rates are also a determinant of stock valuation; the lower the short interest rate of the initial stock, the more overvalued the stock will be. An example could be that of the U.S. stock market which is analysed to be overvalued by 55% (Lombardi, 2014), w hile it is estimated to be overvalued by 80% according to another research (Heyes, 2015). Lombardi (2014) identifies it to be overvalued to such an extent due to the increasing presence of bullish stock advisors as compared to bearish advisors, which results in the investors being complacent without being anxious about a huge market sell-off. By evaluating the market through various methods, Tenebrarum (2015) established an opinion that the U.S. stock market is valued at its highest peak to date. Additionally, Lombardi (2014) recognises these indicators to be similar to those before the stock market crash in 2007. Hence it may lead us to a prediction that history might repeat itself, as specialists have already expected the forthcoming crash (Heyes, 2015). Reasons behind Extreme Overvaluation Moenning (2014) explains one of the reasons behind stock overvaluation to be investors inclination to fall in the trap of investing based on stock valuation, instead of business cycles. He further elaborates that due to the investors inclination towards highly valued stocks, companies raise their stock prices to make their stock seem attractive to be preferred by investors over that of other companies. Qian (2014) identifies a solution to this that if investors are discouraged from merely considering stock valuation while looking for investment options, companies will not have an incentive to undertake systematic mispricing of their stocks, which results in overvaluation. Another reason behind overvaluation of stock market has been suggested by Autore, Boulton and Alves (2015); according to whom the stocks are overvalued to a great extent due to the higher levels of failure to deliver. Three major exchanges report a huge number of failures to deliver in their daily listings appr oximately equal to 10,000 shares or 0.5% of the overall outstanding shares, which further explains the reason behind extreme overvaluation of stock markets (Autore, Boulton and Alves, 2015). Stock Markets are Slightly Overvalued Some analysts estimate the stock markets to be slightly overvalued as compared to what their value should be. Rosenberg (2010) further strengthens this point in his research which revealed that stock markets are overvalued by 35%. A Newstex (2010) report provides little evidence about the market being overvalued by 26%. Specialists from this school of thought believe that stock overvaluation may only result in a temporary disruption in the market, which may be resolved by cautiously reducing the stock prices. Stock Markets are Fairly Valued The ideal situation is the one when stock markets are appropriately valued, which Wolf (2008) identifies as an opportunity. He says that fairly priced stock markets are favoured by the investors and risk-seeking governments, as it is the situation with lesser uncertainty. With an overall market yield of 4%, Paler (2012) recognised the stock markets to be fairly valued, regarding them as a suitable investment platform. For example, Newstex (2015) reported Amazons stock price to be fairly valued at $295 per share as opposed to $380. This is because financial analysts believe that factors such as the potential decline in the annual revenue growth, reduction in operating profit margins due to increasing technology, marketing and other costs, and increased investment in growth strategies, such as international expansion, need to be accounted for when valuing stocks. It can thus be understood that overvalued stocks pose to be a threat for the financial markets because investors lose conf idence, which results in a drop in revenue growth (Akbulut, 2013). The slightly overvalued stock markets may find their easy escape if the decline in the Central Bank rates results in a decrease in the wider interest rate spectrum (Saler, 1998). Stock Markets are undervalued Pan (2009) supports the claim that stock markets are undervalued, along with which he gives the example of the Asian stock market, which is approximately 30% undervalued. One of the reasons he identified for it was the political instability. Another example is provided by Pawsey (2009), whereby he analysed that most of the UK stock market remains undervalued and it has not been so in decades. The reason he identified was that the stocks are undersold as compared to the sales estimation. On one hand, the U.S. stock market is viewed as being extremely overvalued, while on the other, the U.K. stock market is severely undervalued. It can thus be seen that the geographical location plays a great role in the differences of opinion about overvaluation and undervaluation of the stock markets (Tan, Gan and Li, 2010). There are some specific markets which are consistently undervalued for certain periods of time. An example could be the Russian stock market; Putin (2008) found Russian comp anies to be severely undervalued. Caldwells (2015) analysis also depicted that Russian stock market is among the three most undervalued markets globally. The analysis also included predictions that the Russian stocks might go down further, therefore investors need to beware before investing in such markets. Reasons behind Stock Undervaluation One of the reasons behind undervaluation of stock markets is the investors inclination towards highly valued stocks. Although some companies set their stocks at a lower price to make them seem cheaper and more attractive for the investors to buy, they find the investors doing the opposite, i.e. opting for highly valued stocks in anticipation of higher returns (Warner, 2010). Reasons for Different Viewpoints Different Assumptions and Valuation Methodology The different viewpoints mentioned about stock valuation are based on the different assumptions (Cheng and Li, 2015) and different methods used for valuation (Khan, 2002). It also follows that these different methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, which if accounted for, may result in a different perspective. For example, price to earnings ratio is considered to be a worthless tool by some analysts because of its overoptimistic estimates (Tenebrarum, 2015). Taboga (2011) identifies another issue with this ratio, that it is mostly influenced by the fluctuations in earnings due to the business cycle oscillations. Hence he assumes that relying merely on this method may not provide a true picture of the extent to which stock market is overvalued. Implications of Overvaluation Hunter, Kaufman and Pomerleano (2005) explain that extreme overvaluation of the stock market should be taken into consideration and a solution should be devised for it, otherwise there would be higher probability of a crash. Liao (2014) also found a positive relationship between highly overvalued markets and possibility of a crash. He also found a negative relationship between extreme overvaluation and future share price jumps. Jensens (2005) study revealed that the overvaluation of a companys stock gives rise to certain organisational forces which become difficult for the management to handle, damaging the organisations core value either partially or entirely. On one hand, overvalued stock markets pose threats to the financial markets, while on the other, they help in boosting up the aggregate demand and supply, such that this positive effect may potentially be able to subside the negative effect (Cecchetti et al., 2000). Jones and Netter (2012) believe that mispriced stocks pr ove to be a source of encouragement for investors to trade, as a result of which they are reverted back to their reasonable prices. Conclusion The valuation of stock markets has long been an area of concern for financial institutions and analysts. The differences in valuation and the opinions regarding valuation occur because of the differences in the methods used for calculations and making estimates. Each method has its pros and cons and research suggests that one method alone cannot provide a true picture of the degree to which stock markets are overvalued or undervalued. There is evidence about stock markets being extremely overvalued, and there is also an equal amount of research suggesting they are fairly valued and/or undervalued. Considering the differences in methods used and the variation in geographical locations where these researches are conducted, it is difficult to hold a strong opinion about the extent to which stock markets are overvalued or undervalued, because critics against each school of thought have logical reasoning proving the limitations of the valuation method used by the other analysts. It is t herefore necessary for the analysts to use a combination of two or methods for stock valuation, so that the doubts of the critics may be reduced, ensuring transparency in the financial data analysis. References Adiya, B. (2010). Discuss the Main Theories Underlying the Valuation of the Stock. Critically Assess the Role of Fundamental and Technical Analysis in Stock Market Valuation. EC 247 Term Paper, University of Essex. Akbulut, M.E. (2013). Do Overvaluation-driven Stock Acquisitions Really Benefit Acquirer Shareholders? Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 1025-1055. Autore, D.M., Boulton, T.J., and Alves, M.V. (2015). Failure to Deliver, Short Sale Constraints, and Stock Overvaluation. Financial Review, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 143-172. Caldwell, K. (2015). Revealed: The Worlds Cheapest Stock Markets 2015. The Telegraph. 6th June. [Online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/11654508/Revealed-The-worlds-cheapest-stock-markets-2015.html Cecchetti, S.G., Genberg, H., Lipsky, J., Wadhwani, S. (2000). Asset Prices and Central Bank Policy. Geneva: International Center for Monetary and Banking Studies. Chang, J. (2005). Shares Feature Attractive Valuations. Chemical Market Reporter, Vol. 268, No. 18, pp. 15. Cheng, S., and Li, Z. (2015). The Chinese Stock Market Volume II: Evaluation and Prospects. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Fong, W.M. (2014). The Lottery Mindset: Investors, Gambling and the Stock Market. London: Palgrave Macmillan. Heyes, J.D. (2015). Stock Market is 50% to 80% Overvalued; Experts Warn Historical Crash now Imminent. Natural News. 17th September. [Online] Available at: https://www.naturalnews.com/051202_economic_predictions_stock_market_crash_James_Dale_Davidson.html Hunter, W.C., Kaufman, G.G., and Pomerleano, M. (2005). Asset Price Bubbles: The Implications for Monetary, Regulatory and International Policies. London: MIT Press Hussman, J. (2014). John Hussman: The Stock Market is overvalued by 100%. Phils Stock World. Newstex. Retrieved from ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/1621993284/fulltext?accountid=15977 Ivanovski, Z., Ivanovska, N., and Narasanov, Z. (2015). Application of Dividend Discount Model Valuation at Macedonian Stock-Exchange. UTMS Journal of Economics, Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 147-154. Jensen, M.C. (2005). Agency Costs of Overvalued Equity. Financial Management, Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 5-19. Jones, S.L., and Netter, J.M. (2012). Efficient Capital Markets. [Online] Available at: https://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/EfficientCapitalMarkets.html Khan, A. (2002). 501 Stock Market Tips and Guidelines. USA: Writers Club Press. Liao, Q. (2014). Overvaluation and Stock Price Crashes: The Effects of Earnings Management. PhD Dissertation, University of Texas. Lombardi, M. (2014). EconMatters: U.S. Stock Market Overvalued by 55%? Newstex Global Business Blogs. Newstex. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/1641263053?pq-origsite=summon Mishkin, F.S., Matthews, K., and Giuliodori, M. (2013). The Economics of Money, Banking and Financial Markets. European Edition. Barcelona: Pearson Education Limited. Moenning, D. (2014). EconMatters: How Much are Stocks Overvalued? Newstex Global Business Blogs. Newstex. Retrieved from ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/1639491656?pq-origsite=summon Newstex (2010). Is the Stock Market 26% Overvalued? Phils Stock World. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/189661843?pq-origsite=summon Paler, N. (2012). Fidelitys Roberts: Equity Markets Fair to Slightly Overvalued but better than Cash. Investment Week. 26th March. pp. 28. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/963553204?pq-origsite=summon Pan, A. (2009). Asian Stock Markets Seen almost 30% Undervalued. Asiamoney. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/206616845?pq-origsite=summon Pawsey, D. (2009). UK Stocks are Significantly Undervalued. Financial Advisor. Retrieved from ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/195110261?pq-origsite=summon Phoenix Capital Research (2014). Stocks Are Severely Overvalued By Almost Every Predictive Metric. Phils Stock World. Newstex. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/1546016887?pq-origsite=summon Putin (2008). Putin Says Russian Stock Market Undervalued. Daily News Bulletin. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/456062919?pq-origsite=summon Qian, X. (2014). Small Investor Sentiment, Differences of Opinion and Stock Overvaluation. Journal of Financial Markets, Vol. 19, No. 1, pp. 219-246. Rosenberg, D. (2010). Rosenberg: Stocks 35% Overvalued. Phils Stock World. Newstex. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/189666557?pq-origsite=summon Saler, T. (1998). Fed could Rescue Slightly Overvalued Large-cap Stocks. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/260844752?pq-origsite=summon Stowe, J.D., Robinson, T.R., Pinto, J.E., McLeavey, T.W. (2008). Equity Asset Valuation Workbook. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Taboga, M. (2011). Under/Over-Valuation of the Stock Market and Cyclically Adjusted Earnings. International Finance, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 135-164. Tan, Z.H., Gan, C., and Li, Z. (2010). An Empirical Analysis of the Chinese Stock Market: Overvalued/Undervalued. International Journal of Applied Economics Econometrics, Vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 44-74. Tenebrarum, P. (2015). EconMatters: The U.S. Stock Market is at its Most Overvalued in History. Newstex Global Business Blogs. Newstex. Retrieved from: ProQuest. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/1656537926?pq-origsite=summon Ujwary-Gil, A. (2014). Knowledge Capital Earnings of a Company Listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange. European Conference on Knowledge Management. Kidmore: Academic Conferences International Limited. Warner, J. (2010). Why Stock Markets are still Undervalued? The Daily Telegraph. 19th January, pp. 4. [Online] Available at: https://search.proquest.com.gcu.idm.oclc.org/docview/321739234?pq-origsite=summon Wolf, M. (2008). Why Fairly Valued Stock Markets are an Opportunity? Financial Times. 26th November, pp. 13.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

The Porter s Five Forces - 1162 Words

The Porter’s five forces is a competitive position analysis and business strategy format created by Michael Porter in 1979. The premise behind the format is to provide them with five forces that shape every industry. Mr. Porter s theory is that if a company analyzed the information received from reviewing the five forces, the company would be able to compete in a higher fashion against its competitions. Following the five forces would allow a firm to determine the type of market or industry it is operating in. Each of the five works as an individual factor in the microenvironment, but one force could not exist without the out force in a stable economy. The five forces are Supplier Power, Buyer Power, Threat of substitutes, the threat of new entrant and Competitive Rivalry. Three forces affected the market horizontally while two affected, it vertically from each side. A review of the movie rental market from the Porter’s five forces. Competition Rivalry is at the center of the Diagram. This force receives pressure from all of the remaining forces. The pressure from those forces defines the way a competitor will be able to compete inside of an industry. A highly competitive market may prohibit additional competitors from entering the marketplace. Lower competitors are willing to lower prices cause a price war and maintain a low price that would slash or narrow a perspective competitor from entering the marketplace. Current industry leaders are already having market shareShow MoreRelatedPorter s Five Force Analysis1465 Words   |  6 PagesMichael Porter s five force analysis of Starbucks coffee shows the intensity of the five strengths of the firm, and the bases of these powers. Starbucks coffee s prosperity shows its viability in tending to these outside elements in its industrial surroundings. However, this five forces investigation highlights current industry conditions that force present and developing conce rns significant to Starbucks Coffee s business. Following are the five forces of Michael Porter s model. These five forcesRead MorePorter s Five Forces Theory Essay1426 Words   |  6 Pagesthe industry. One of the most common theory to analyzing forces of competition in an industry is Porter’s Five Forces theory. These five forces are consist of the threat of new entrants, the power of suppliers, the power of buyers, the threat of substitute, and rivalry among existing competitors (Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation, 2010, p.24-41). Moreover, those five forces divided into two focus concern. The first on is forces that focusing on competition, which consists of industryRead MorePorter s Five Forces Framework992 Words   |  4 Pages5 forces analysis Porter s Five Forces Framework is a tool for analyzing competition of a business of an industry in terms of its profitability. The most unattractive industry would be one approaching pure competition, in which available profits for all firms are driven to normal profit levels. The five-forces perspective is associated with its originator, Michael E. Porter of Harvard University. This framework was first published in Harvard Business Review in 1979. Each industry generates profitsRead MorePorter s Five Forces Analysis926 Words   |  4 Pagesapplied to factors driving profitability of an industry was Porter’s Five Forces Model. As the name implies, the level of competitive intensity within an industry from five specific sources determines attractiveness of an industry to potential entrants. Porter developed Five Forces Analysis in response to SWOT analysis, a model he found too vague. Porter s Five Forces include three forces from horizontal competition and two forces from vertical competition: horizontally, the threat of substituteRead MoreThe Porter s Five Forces Model1281 Words   |  6 PagesAbstract The Porter s Five Forces model, which was named after Michael E. Porter, identifies and analyzes five competitive forces that shape every industry, and helps determine an industry s weaknesses and strengths. These forces are: †¢ Competition in the industry; †¢ Potential of new entrants into the industry; †¢ Power of suppliers; †¢ Power of customers; †¢ Threat of substitute products. It is commonly used to identify an industry s structure to determine corporate strategy. Porter s model canRead MorePorter s Five Forces Model1539 Words   |  7 PagesPorter s Five Forces Model Introduction The cosmetic industry is influenced by a wide range of factors that affect market growth and profits for businesses. The cosmetic industry has continued to record a substantial strong growth over the years and developed as one of the industries holding the highest potential for further development and growth. The market characteristics can reduce or increase the chances of success for new market entrants (Porter, 2008). Using Porter’s five forces model, businessesRead MorePorter s Five Forces Framework2657 Words   |  11 Pages Porter’s Five Forces Framework EnQuest PLC, Oil and Gas Industry Cristina Cebotari BA (Hons) Business Studies with Finance â€Æ' Table of Contents INTRODUCTION 3 1. ABOUT THE MODEL 3 1.1 ADVANTAGES 3 1.2 DISADVANTAGES 4 2. APPLYING PORTER’S FIVE FORCES TO ENQUEST PLC 5 2.1 COMPETITIVE RIVALRY 5 2.2 BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS 7 2.3 BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS 8 2.4 THREAT OF ENTRY 9 2.5 THREAT OF SUBSTITUTES 9 CONCLUSION 10 APPENDIX 11 REFERENCES 13 â€Æ' IntroductionRead MorePorter s Theory Of Porters Five Forces1482 Words   |  6 PagesFive Forces Introduction Michael Porter developed a highly useful tool for managers called Porters Five Forces (Rothaermel, 2015). The main focus of Porters Five Forces is to help managers understand their firm’s position and how to help them find a competitive advantage (Rothaermel, 2015). The Five Forces consist of, threat of entry, power of suppliers, power of buyers, threat of substitutes, and rivalry among existing firms. I am going to break down Porters Five Forces on my upcomingRead MorePorter s Five Forces Model Essay1602 Words   |  7 PagesPorter s Five Forces model (PFF) is a powerful instrument that can be utilized by companies to investigate its situation and identify its industry s competitors. Analyzing industry will help any business in determining the competitive strength and weaknesses. By using PFF model, investors can gain valuable information regarding what the actual factors that affect the organization s profitability (Evans Neu 2008). This paper will analyze the Cola Wars case study based on the PFF model, and theRead MorePorter s Five Forces Model1611 Words   |  7 PagesPorter’s Five Forces In order to further figure out the failure of GM in Korea, we decided to analyse it from industrial perspective. The five forces model, which was developed by the Harvard professor Michael Porter, is going to be applied to the case. Porter’s five force model demonstrates that the Threat of New Entrant, the Threat of Substitute Products or services, the Bargaining Power of Buyers, the Bargaining Power of Suppliers and the Rivalry among the Existing Competitors are the forces that

Friday, December 13, 2019

Describe How Two Businesses Are Organised Free Essays

Describe how two businesses are organised (P3) I am going to talk about two organisations and how they operate. The organisations I am going to talk about are McDonalds and Chester Zoo. McDonalds is a fast food restaurant and its purpose is to provide the best and fastest customer service so in this way it will give the organisation a good reputation and help them to make more profit. We will write a custom essay sample on Describe How Two Businesses Are Organised or any similar topic only for you Order Now [pic] This shows how stuff work in McDonalds. If there would be a problem with customers for example, then the assistant manager would take care of this but if there would be something more serious then the business manager will have to take care of it because he is the top head of managing. This also shows how the organisation is organized and how everyone is on the top of the chart and also at the bottom. Chester Zoo is a zoo organisation with loads of attractions for children. Its purpose is to keep their customers happy and also help others because Chester Zoo is also a charity and most of its profit goes to charity to help other people. This is one of the organisation charts for Chester Zoo. This organisation chart shows how the herpetology team work at Chester Zoo. For example the herpetology team manager is on top and  everyone below report to him. For example if there was a problem with something to do with the herpetology keepers then they would report it to the herpetology lead keeper who would then report it to the herpetology team manager. Types of organisational structures There are four types of organisational structures which are: †¢ Functional Geographic †¢ Product †¢ Type of customer Functional – Functional structures arrange departments according to what goes on within each department. An example of this structure would be Sandwell College where the lecturers are in their own departments, the receptionists and secretaries would be in the administration department or office and the library and IT staff would be in support services. Geographic – Geographic structures are mos tly about the size of the organisation and where it operates. This could be where there are teams of people operating in different locations like in different towns, cities or countries, so it would be very difficult to organise the business simply by its functions. By product – By-product organisational structures offer a range of products or services and these can dictate its structure. For example a supermarket could be organised into the following functional areas: †¢ Fruit and veg †¢ Cooked  meats †¢ Tinned goods †¢ Clothing †¢ Frozen goods By type of customer – By type of customer organisational structures have both consumers as customers and also have other businesses as customers. This can be referred to as B2C (business to consumer) and B2B (business to business). Hierarchical structure – A hierarchical structure consists of multiple levels. This means that the chain of command would look like a pyramid with a large base of workers who are supervised by the level above them which continues to the top ranking officer such as the CEO or company president. Flat structure – A flat structure has few levels of management between the executive level and the front-line employees. The purpose of a flat structure is to empower employees by making them a larger part of the decision making process in a business. It is designed to make employees more productive. It also allows for more rapid change and problem resolution as the communication occurs more easily between the upper managers and baseline employees. Matrix structure – A matrix structure is a type of management system in which workers report to more than just one person, effectively having two or more supervisors at the same time. For example professionals with different types of expertise are brought together to work on a project. They report to a number of managers of different projects as well as to a functional supervisor. McDonalds and Chester Zoo both have a hierarchical structure because they have multiple levels and they both have a CEO or company president that everyone reports to. Span of control – Span of control is the number of people that one individual is responsible for in an organisation. The wider the span of control is then the greater the number of whom the individual is responsible. A manager who is responsible for too many people may be so overworked that their staff in turn may not be able to perform their duties effectively. Functional Areas – The functional areas are the specialist areas of activity within an organisation. These include: †¢ Finance †¢ Marketing †¢ Production †¢ Customer service †¢ Sales †¢ Human resources Finance The finance department functions include keeping records of financial activity for example the sales made by the business and providing managers with information that they can use in decision making for example cost of making products. For McDonalds the finance department would have to keep track of how many sales they make per day and what kind of meal or burger makes the most money. For Chester Zoo the finance department would have to do the same which is keeping records of how many sales they make per day and how much profit they make. Marketing – The marketing function is responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements. The marketing function have to carry out market research to find out which types of customers make up a particular market for example what they want, where they want it, how they like it and at what price. The marketers will have an important say in deciding: †¢ The products the company produces The prices charged †¢ Promotions designed to encourage the customers †¢ Place where  goods are sold For example at McDonalds the marketers would decide on what type of Mcflurrys they would sell to customers and at Chester Zoo the marketers will decide on what price they will sell their tickets for people to come and visit Chester Zoo Production – The production function organises who makes th e goods and how and when they are made. The production manager of a company is responsible for making sure raw materials are processed into finished goods. At McDonalds the production function will have to make sure that the burgers and chips are made in good quality and at Chester Zoo the production team have to make sure that the food they feed to the animals are just right for them to eat. Customer service – Customer service is concerned with looking after customers at all stages of their relationship with a company. They have to provide customers with details about offers, make sure the customers are listened to and valued and attending to customer complaints, providing after sales service such as servicing of goods, spare parts or information about new products. At Chester Zoo the customer service people will have to deal with complaints and will have to tell people who visit about offers they may not know about. Sales – The sales function is responsible for getting customers to buy what the company produces. The sales department works closely with the marketing department. The main responsibility of the sales department is to create orders for goods and services. For example at McDonalds the sales team will have to try and sell as much food as they can to the customers so they can make a profit. At Chester Zoo they will have to do the same thing by selling Chester Zoo merchandise. Human resources – Human resource managers are responsible for all aspects of people management in an organisation. The type of work covered in the human resource function might include a policy-making role, welfare role, supportive role, bargaining and negotiating role, administrative role and educational and development role. At Chester Zoo the human resources will have to do an educational and development role because when they have new employees they will need to train them. This goes for the same at McDonalds, where they will have to train their employees. How to cite Describe How Two Businesses Are Organised, Papers

Thursday, December 5, 2019

How to Forget Someone You Love free essay sample

How do we forget someone that has been a part of our lives for a quite some time? We find it hard at times when we actually want to forget them but still cant because theyve been something to us. Some get depressed, and some get stressed out with the things around them some get drunk and put their selves to trouble Just to forget the hurt that they feel. But where do they end up? Some In the Jail for their stupidity, some are stuck In the past and dont know how to get out and move out of the box that they are in, and some still cant stand up tall and sayVive finally moved Well, here are some effective tips for you Step one: Set aside all the things that can make you remember this person! How do you do It? In a big box, you put everything there. We will write a custom essay sample on How to Forget Someone You Love or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Pictures, stuff toys, or whatever this person gave you. After, you can put them away and put In the balcony or somewhere you wont be able to see it for a long period of time. Just be sure you will not go to that place and check everything out. Also, start removing and forgetting all the contact numbers you have connecting to this person.If possible, delete them in your personal accounts too like Backbone, Yahoo! Messenger, MS Live, Keep and all other social sites where you can see his or her updates. Step two: Be strongly Show this person that you can do it without them! Get all the confidence you could before you meet him the second time around after they leave you. Show him/her that its their lost, not yours! Theres going to be a big difference with the way they will treat you. Step three: Get busy! Focus yourself on other things like studies, friends, family and other happy things. Go on a arty with your awesome buddiesHAVE FUN! Drink if its going to ease the pain but remember not to get wasted. Its going to bring back all the pain and let you drag yourself down! Step four: Life must go on! Not Just because this someone special left you, you lose hope with everything. Remember: The most revengeful thing that you can do to the person who left you is to be happy. Put a big smile on your face and tell the world you can do it! Step five: Think of happy thoughts! Never let yourself down with the memories that will melt your heart and cry. Think of the stuffs that cake you happy even if youre all alone.Have yourself a treat at the mall or go on a shopping that will make you happy. Do the things that will make you happy even without accompany of others. NEVER watch romantic movies! Youll Just hurt yourself twice as much as you can remember. Step six: Stand up tall with chin up! Prove the people around you that you survived everything youve been through. When you see this person, walk in front of them with all the confidence you have! If theyll notice you, say Hal or hell for them not to feel that you were very affected with what they id to hurt you. After all that was said here, its still you whos going to decide on what to do. This might help, but everything is still up to you. Its going to be easy and yet, difficult. Just like math, X and Y are there but you still have to calculate it properly to get the answers correctly. Everything worth having is worth waiting. How to Forget Someone You Love By ohyiieeee because theyve been something to us. Some get depressed, and some get stressed to forget the hurt that they feel. But where do they end up?Some in the Jail for their tepidity, some are stuck in the past and dont know how to get out and move out of things that can make you remember this person! How do you do it? In a big box, you can put them away and put in the balcony or somewhere you wont be able to see his or her updates. Step two: Be strong! Show this person that you can do it to be a big difference with the way they will treat you. Step three: Get busy! Focus see this person, walk in front of them with all the confidence you have!

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Multiculturalism Essay Example

Multiculturalism Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on Multiculturalism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Multiculturalism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Multiculturalism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Multiculturalism Multiculturalism is brought by the existence of multiple cultures in a society. Every culture has different practices, but it is possible to have common practices in different cultures. Multiple cultures are brought by immigration of people. The different cultures are expected to coexist in the same society and live harmoniously. Multiple cultures have both positive and negative effects on the people. It has brought the introduction of homogeneity, where groups of people adopt practices from different cultures. They do not identify themselves with any culture since they have borrowed from many cultures. According to my observation, it is agreeable to say that people are a product of multiple cultures. People of different culture living in the same society have influenced each other in many ways. Global changes have also contributed to changes in cultural practices. The new technologies, as well as policies in different countries, have enabled people’s exposure to different cultures. For example, trade policies enable people from different cultures to interact and exchange knowledge. Traveling makes people visit new places where they learn different cultural practices. I feel I am a product of multiple cultures in different ways. In my learning institution, there are many students from different cultures. They have taught me many things in various aspects. My friends come are from diverse cultures and they have introduced me to many practices in their cultures. It is a brilliant idea to borrow from other cultures because their practices may be a solution to some of my problems. For instance, I have a friend whose culture believes in consuming vegetables. My friend has a lot of knowledge on various types of vegetables, and he assisted me to choose the most nutritious ones. Another friend comes from France and is proficient in French language. He assists me to learn French and soon I will be multilingual. We form study groups and assist each other with course work. I have learnt many effective study habits form my friends. It has even been reflected in my school results. I have improved in the way I understand concepts in class. For example, I learnt that it is essential to ask questions after the teacher is through with the lecture. It does not only help me but also other students to learn more. Being an Arab, I have always believed my religion is the only right one. After interacting with other people from different cultures, I have learnt to accept and respect other religions. I was made to understand that people have the freedom to join any religion. It is unethical to criticize other religious and assume mine is superior. Multiple cultures have influenced me to respect other cultures and practices. I have also noticed some foreign students have converted to different religions because of multiple culture influence. Other people have persuaded them to join those religions, and they have accepted. Multiple cultures enhance cohesion in the community. I have learnt to live with other ethnic groups in harmony. Initially, I had negative perception about some cultural groups. After living in a community with diverse people, I have changed my attitude and towards people. Mainly, I had a problem with other races. Dubai has many immigrants from African, Asian, South American and other countries. I feared they would control the country and overthrow the government. Today, I have come to realize that they are beneficial to the state in many ways. I appreciate their contribution in all the aspects they have helped improve. I have an interest in traveling, and I have visited many places outside Dubai. For instance, I have visited United States of America with my family. During the visit, we stayed with American families who shared many ideas about their cultures. My mother learnt how to cook different meals. I ate new snacks like burgers and pizza. These foods do not belong in cultural Arabian foods. They were introduced by the western culture in Dubai. Today, my mother prepares some of the foods she learnt, and they have become part of my family’s culture. The internet has significantly changed people’s ways of life and beliefs. This is mainly observed in young people because they have fully embraced the new technology. The internet contains all sorts of information about different topics. Social networks are being used as a medium of interacting, and this is an opportunity for people to exchange cultural practices. I belong to several social sites, and I have made friends with people from all over the world. By chatting and other forms of communication, we have learnt ideas from each other. Computer technology has changed by culture of learning and doing research. Initially, I only used physical libraries and books used in class. It was difficult to carry out research because I had to consume a lot of time looking for relevant books. Today, I just use my laptop to search any topic from the internet. It has a broad database of rich information in almost all the topics. I can also access electronic books and save time looking for them physically. The lecturers have an easy time marking essays because there is software to assist them. Apart from positive influence, there has been negative influence. The greatest negative influence is from the media. Many movies have several negative themes. According to Arab religion, people are expected to remain chaste until they are married. Contemporary movies are encouraging young people against these values. I am among some of the students who have acquired a more liberal perception to life. This is a choice that I have to make on my own. Some people from foreign countries came to introduce unacceptable practices in the community. For instance, in Jamaica there is the culture of consuming Cannabis sativa. Immigrants from that country have introduced it to others. There are other hard drugs, which have been introduced into the country because of having multiple cultures. People have made it a business to sell these illegal drugs, and they are making money. The government has a hard time trying to fight these illegal practices. Another notable change is the music I like. Western music has taken over local music and people seem to enjoy it more than local music. I like listening to hip-hop, jazz and classical music among other categories. I only listen to local music occasionally. With all the changes that have happened, I feel I am a product of multiple cultures.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Caring for individuals with additional needs Essays

Caring for individuals with additional needs Essays Caring for individuals with additional needs Paper Caring for individuals with additional needs Paper In this assignment I am going to describe four models of disability; Social, Medical, Normalisation and the Holistic approach. I shall include barriers and explain how and why they occur and give examples. Finally I am going to assess different barrier which exist for people with additional needs. The term additional needs is used by health and care professionals and it means that some children and adults may need other things to help them; it could be that their first language isnt English so they need an interpretator, or it might be that they cant walk very far so they need a wheelchair. It is a wide range of things and it doesnt make anyone different- we all have additional needs, some are more needed than others. The social model of disability was created by disabled people themselves; it was a first response to how society reacts to them being different, but also of how doctors and those in the health care profession treat them because they have a disability. The model says that society is the problem, those with disabilities arent the sufferer, the person is capable to look after themselves and make decisions and that they are equal to those without disabilities. For example; (using the case study of Hannah), from the social models point of view Hannah isnt a disabled person; it is the environment that makes her life difficult as it doesnt always provide what she needs to live a normal life. She might not be able to live in a house that she wants to live in due to it not being adapted to her needs; lower sinks, baths, hand rails, stair lifts, living in a bungalow may be too expensive, she may need more care- badly designed buildings may also be a factor. The social model accepts that these are all problems as to why Hannah cant live in a normal house and having to get the house adapted to her needs may cause problems. The social model allows people with disabilities look at themselves in a positive way; the model aims to increase self-esteem and independence. It ignores that they have a disability and regardless of this, it helps reinforce that everyone should have equal opportunities. There are advantages and disadvantages of the social model, advantages are; it makes the person more independent, it looks at the person and their needs not their disability, their medical needs are overlooked- the fact that they are in a wheelchair etc isnt a problem in the social model, the person isnt the problem- society is and the way society runs. The model tries to change the environment and factors around them, not the person and their disability to suit the environment. Another advantage is that it is cost effective putting stair lifts in, lower sinks, hand rails- if the person decides to move, they could sell/rent the property out to an elderly person, this would help them greatly or even to another person with a disability, it lasts a long time and replacements wont have to be made. The model also tells people about disability and how people do feel singled out- this can help people understand and gain more knowledge. The social model also says that the person can do that if they change the environment, not that they cant do it because they have a disability, it shows that even if you have a disability you can still do things. Disadvantages of the model are that it is expensive- it may help the person to change the environment, putting stair lifts and getting those carers etc but this can be expensive for the person and for the government, agencies and organisations. It can be time consuming and time that the person may not have spare due to other commitments, or not being able to get to and from the house that they want to live in- this can also be costly. Finding care can be hard, and finding someone to fit the requirements that would help the person, also moving someone from a care home or from their parents house to their own house can be stressful not on the family but also on the family. In addition to this, the family may have to care for the person who can be time consuming and relationships within the family itself may be strained. The Medical model is the second model of disability. This model says that the problem is that they are disabled, and that only medicine and science can treat them. That the person will have to adapt to society, and they will be labelled- learning disabled, paraplegic, autistic, partially deaf, deaf, blind etc. The doctors have all the knowledge and power over you, and you are not equal. The medical model is regarded as an approach that doesnt give people power if they have a disability whether it is severe or not despite advances in science and medicine that have improved the lives of people who have disabilities. From the point of view of the medical model; Hannah (case study), is a disabled person who needs looking after due to her disability, not because she is an actual human being who has needs. She may need round the clock care, agencies will have to work together to help her condition not to help her, she may need treatment from doctors, and tests doing to her. She may not want this doing- but doctors see this as an advantage to science and their knowledge if something does help her (like a treatment), they can then use this to help others in similar situations. The medical model doesnt see Hannah as having needs, they see her as someone with a disability, and this is all they focus on. If she gets care, it will primarily help her condition not her as a person and her life. There are advantages and disadvantages to the medical model; advantages are- advances in science and medicine will help the persons condition, this can have a great impact on their life (in a good way), the medical model can help them lead a normal life, or as close to a normal life as possible; if they get given a wheelchair to move about, they can still get around and do things for themselves and adapt to society without changing society. Disadvantages of the model are; that the model doesnt see the person for their needs, it focuses on their disability first and then their needs. It says that the person should adapt to the environment, however sometimes this isnt always possible. A disadvantage could be that tests, medicine etc is expensive and the person may not be able to afford it if the NHS wont fund it for them anymore, e. g. if their wheelchair keeps breaking, they may have to keep paying for replacements. It labels those with disabilities, most people dont like to have a label, and they want to be seen as a person not as someone who has something wrong with them that is usually not their fault. Normalisation involves the acceptance of those with disabilities, offering them the same conditions you would offer everyone else without a disability making sure you treat them equal. The model was developed as a reaction to policies that were dehumanising- meaning that some policies degraded those with disabilities. People with additional needs and disabilities want to live a normal live and not get judged by it, or have a label like they would in the medical model. The model is about making those with disabilities equal and trying to get them to have a life that is as normal as possible; it is giving people with disabilities the same choices and opportunities as everyone else. The model stresses that those without disabilities or additional needs to be accepted and valued, it also strongly believes that those without disabilities should let those with disabilities to what they can do, not saying that they cant do something because they are in a wheelchair etc. Normalisation played a key role in movements both for education and for empowerment meaning that those with disabilities are in charge of what they do within education- whether they go to a special school or a main stream school. The medical model attracted much criticism from disabled rights groups who claimed it oppresses those with disabilities, because of this, people started to think differently about disability and a new model emerged this is called the Social Model. The social model says that society puts up barriers that prevent disabled people from participating; this links into the Normalisation model because the social model wants to provide a normal life for those with disabilities and the social model wants social acceptance from society for those who have disabilities. There are several advantages and disadvantages of Normalisation. Advantages are that the model wants everyone to be normal and no one to be better than another, due to a disability. The model emphasises the importance of equality, they want to make sure that people arent just having a normal as possible life, but making sure they are treated equal as well. The people who believe in Normalisation, can work with those who believe in the social model and work together and they could together make points stronger and ensure people arent labelled etc. Disadvantages are that some people are happy with their life and living it their way, they may not want someone coming in and making them fit this normal category that is seen as the best way to live. A major disadvantage is that the model was developed as a reaction to the policies that degraded those with disabilities, not because people wanted those with disabilities to live a normal life and to be treated equal. The holistic approach is an approach that helps those who are dealing with people with disabilities have the care basically all about them, it is person centred care. Holistic care is care that considers the physical, emotional, and social needs of the disabled person. Holistic care focuses on all aspects of the persons life, not just the disability. For example; using Hannah (case study), she may feel lonely and confused about her disability, she may wonder why it is her that has the disability. Her care workers may offer her counselling to deal with emotional stress and problems that she may have, she may need support off her family and friends and this may include seeing them (social), this could make her feel better about herself. However, to see them this may require special arrangements, like transport or a care worker; this may take assessing and this may also take time and money- this may make her feel angry and annoyed that she is in a wheelchair/disabled etc; however staff should make this happen as it what she wants and her needs. Holistic care is important for those with disabilities, as like the normalisation and social model, it focuses on the persons needs and what they want. It puts the persons needs first and then their disability. Advantages of the model are that it focuses on the person and their needs; it focuses on all aspects of their life; this may lead the person to feel valued and wanted, despite their disability they have some purpose in life. Disadvantages is that person centred care/holistic care can be expensive because staff members that work at the care home may have to make extra time to ensure that everyone has holistic care that helps their needs and makes them feel wanted etc. There are several barriers that those with disabilities and additional needs may come across. A barrier basically means something that restricts a person from doing something. Discrimination includes stereotyping and labelling, this links in with the medical model. The Disability discrimination act 1995, amended in 2005, is a piece of legislation that empowers those with additional needs to have equal opportunities as everyone else. Mr Blunkett was a member of parliament who was blind. The social model backs up the right that he should still be able to work and do his job even though he is blind, reasonable adjustments should be made when he is at work so he can do his job. This could include giving him a stick to get around, putting Braille on doors so he knows where they are, putting notes from meeting etc on a tape so he can listen to them and in Braille if necessary. Employment is another barrier that people may face; the employer may feel like they are a barrier to employment and that the person who wants to become their employee thinks that cant do the job because of the persons disability. The employer may make up excuses as to why the person wont be getting the job- all revolved around their disability, for example- it may cost more to get the disability person insured on their insurance, the company may not want to spend more money on someone, the place of work were the person with the disability wants to work- it may not have sufficient ramps, lifts, lower desks, bathrooms that are big enough for the person to go into with the wheelchair. The person shouldnt be getting a job due to their disability, it should be due to the person in general- they might not have enough qualifications etc, there should be reasons that dont relate to their disability. All people disabled or not, should have opportunities. For example; if a person is disabled and their school tutor group is going on holiday, and they get told they cant go because of their disability as they are in a wheelchair, this would be illegal as the Equal Opportunities Act 2010 (replaced by the 1999 Equal opportunities act), it means that under this act, everyone should have equal opportunities. In addition to this; reasonable adjustments should be made for the person to be able to go on holiday. Barriers could be that insurance is too high, health and safety is an issue, more staff might be needed and it could also be costly. This links into the holistic model as the care needed for the person to go on holiday will be centred on them and their needs. It also links with the normalisation model as going on holiday is a normal thing to do. Cultural barriers are ones that are against the person for a certain reason, it could be due to the colour of their skin, or the foods they eat due to coming from a certain background. For example; if a disabled person is from Pakistan and they are living in a residential home and the other people who they are with are having pizza for tea, and the person who is from Pakistan doesnt like pizza, then the care workers should have something else for them to eat, something they like, the person shouldnt put this on their disability. This relates to the holistic model as the care should be relating to their needs and what they like and dislike. Physical access for a disabled person may mean being able to use a lift, however- if there isnt a lift to use then this would be a barrier. There should be other ways for the person to access, like stair lifts. For example, if a person who is in a wheelchair wants to do a night course at a college and because it is a old building, it hasnt been updated with a lift or stair lifts, the person who wants to do the night course cant do it because of this barrier, however the class should be moved to the ground floor so that the person can still attend the night course and it wont cost the college any money in putting lifts in. This is allowing physical access for the person. This is normalisation for the person as it is allowing the person to lead a normal life and go to college, and also the social model- it allows them to socialise. The medical model relates to the attitudes that are displayed towards those with disabilities and additional needs, this could be stereotyping towards someone because they are in a wheelchair, patronising them and making them feel like they are a child because they arent normal, just focusing on their disability and what the disability means they cant do, rather focusing on what they can do. Peoples attitudes against disability are rather one sided, like the medical models labels people, but the social model says that society is the problem- society needs to adapt to those with disabilities. A barrier that those with additional needs or a disability could face is communication. A barrier to communication could be that they dont speak English or know limited English; they might need to get a translator in to help with this. If someone has Autism, they will need to use PECs, (picture exchange communication system), this is a non-verbal way of communicating and is effective for those who have autism, this is overcoming a barrier to communication. Financial barriers could be that the person who is in a wheelchair, cant afford to pay for a ramp outside their house themselves so they may need help of the local council, they might not have the chance to go on holiday as it could be expensive. Rest bite care could mean that the family will get a break from having to look after them and they could go on trips and have choice. Lack of choice could mean that they cant do everything that they want to do, say if they want to go shopping and the place doesnt have public access for them this would mean they cant go there.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 22

Management - Essay Example Away days refer to the special kind of days that are set aside for socialization, bonding among other core targets (Smith 2007; Stark 2007; Macionis 2006). This has mainly been as a result of poor planning and inadequate analysis of the actual utilization of the days. Any attempt by the top level management to associate the event with the needs of the business organization is sometimes met with a great deal of resentment and discord from the employees. In an Information Technology department for instance, away days could play a crucial role in enhancing the employee and management efforts to achieve the organizational goals. According to Goldhagen (1996), most Information Technology (IT) employees, together with other groups of employees, have widely been known to lack the social skills needed to relate better with clients. Away days need to be used in enhancing team work and group development. There should be a well laid mechanism to ensure that the group gets to know one another be tter (Merianne, Sheila, Jeffrey 2003). The spirit of team work needs to be developed. Employees need to appreciate their differences and plan on the best way through which all employees’ strengths could fully be exploited to the benefit of the organization. It is fundamental that the members of the organization, while on away days, get to know and appreciate the various needs and challenges that they face (Merton, 1957, p. 106 -120). In addition to team development, problem solving and addressing of the various needs of the employees could be done on these days. The activities of the away-days should never bring the real business mood. Instead, this opportunity should be used for addressing the various business challenges. In an IT environment, it is possible for the employees to enhance other skills that could be shared. A software programmer in an IT department could as well be a guidance and counseling expert

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

19th century Romanticism in France Research Paper

19th century Romanticism in France - Research Paper Example He bathes himself in the emotional zeal and beliefs of the French Revolution and greatly admires Napoleon Bonaparte. He outwardly professes to be a monarchist all the while secretly reading Rousseau’s Confessions by candle light. For Stendhal then, Sorel serves as a means of expressing the pain many French Romantic thinkers and writers felt when trying to reconcile the lofty ideals of the eighteenth century Enlightenment with the realities of the French Revolution. It is important to recall that throughout the eighteenth century France was the philosophical heart and soul of the Enlightenment. Its language was most often the preferred prose for its expression. French after all was the language of Voltaire, Rousseau, Diderot, and Condorcet (among others). In their ideas, however, there already developed a troubling dichotomy: the belief that science could answer any question and that man, if he so chose, could better himself using that same science. The eighteenth century’s â€Å"rising middle class proclaimed new political ideas: democracy and patriotism. It had a new conception of morality: civic virtue and heroism† (Antal 1935, p. 160). The Enlightenment sought to apply science and â€Å"rationalize† every part of society. Thus it was irrational for a king to have absolute power. It was rational for the people to determine things. If only the latter were the case then society’s ills would be no more. Of course the end result could not have been farther from these ideals: with the French King beheaded and the social order laying ruins, France of the 1790’s was the place of murder, mayhem, and inhumanity. The ideals of â€Å"liberty, fraternity, equality† were a mockery. And when Napoleon brought order he did so only after crowning himself emperor and thus demonstrated that order in France was only possible if there was a strong monarch. Stendhal was a believer in the French Revolution and himself

Monday, November 18, 2019

Strategy management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Strategy management - Essay Example According to Yip, internationalization is driven by market, cost, government and competitive drivers, which influence the level of market competitiveness and success of globalization. In the telecommunication industry, globalization has become a major way of improving sales, market control and performance (Yip, Biscarri & Monti, 2000). Companies such as apple, Samsung and Nokia have entered markets in different parts of the globe including emerging and developed countries. Market driver remains the major motivation for globalization by most of these companies as it seeks to improve its presence, perception and performance in the market. Market drivers describe the needs and preferences of the customers, the existence of global demand among others (Lal & Strachan, 2007). Telecommunication industry is one of the most dynamic sector in which consumer loyalty is not assured and changes in taste and preferences affect the demand of different products. Within the telecommunication industry, products such as mobile phones, smartphones and computers perform based on how they satisfy the needs of the market. Companies such as Samsung and apple have upped the competition in the telecommunication industry, developing a strong market control as compared to other companies. The companies in demand in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world due to the strong consumer preference that has emerged due to the sleek designs and consumer centrality adopt Apple products. This has caused a need for these companies to enter into new markets and fill the void currently within the global market beat the strong competition (Yip, Biscarri & Monti, 2000). Cost drivers include the need to adopt scales economies, improved supply chain and exploitation of country specific cultural differences across the globe. To achieve the economies of scales, businesses cannot continue serving the national or domestic markets. As a result,

Friday, November 15, 2019

Exams are Not Good Forms of Assessment

Exams are Not Good Forms of Assessment Assessments can be classified into few categories which are discussion, self- report, observation, portfolio assessment, practical work, demonstration, class activities and oral presentation. In the similar way, assessment can also be defined as a learning process that provides information on students learning and guides student to make great changes in their studies (Business Dictionary). In general, examination is non-destructive inspection, detailed investigation, or analysis of objects, products, or materials to decide their conformation to specifications with no special laboratory apparatus or technique. It includes sensual experiment such as auditory, visual, tactual, olfactory and gustatory or simple manipulation and measurement. Besides, it is also a testing of qualification of students in their examinations. (Business dictionary).There are two types of examinations that can be found which are standardized exams (commercial) and locally developed exams. 1.2 Current Statistical Information At present many schools, colleges, and universities assess their students by means of final examinations. These can be very stressful and majority of students usually do worse in normal exams compared to in other forms of assessment. However, it may be a good early practice for students for their future if success depends on the ability to deal with pressure and perform well on big occasions (Newman 2000). Based on the experiment that conducted by Qureshi, Alam, Khan and Sheraz (2002) in Women Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan, the statistics shows that a rise in systolic blood pressure by an average of fifteen mm Hg was observed in eighty eight percent of the students as compared to pre-examination readings. The parameters of blood cell determined before examination and during examination were compared .Those results are recorded and presented in Figure 1 and Figure 2. As a result, it has been proven that examination stress can affect the blood cell parameters and bring such huge impact to students health. First of all, the main reason examination should not be replaced with other forms of assessment is because of the equality of opportunity it has. The best application of it is the content of knowledge and it is fair enough to all the students who have to sit for the same exam using the same method in one particular country. For an instance, examination allows for a standardized administration to a large numbers of students and thus it is more convenient to measure and compare students standard. Of course, it cannot be denied that it is very useful for accessing individual students as well. 2.2 Test on students performance. Besides that, examination can test on students performance by reflecting the way how students express themselves in their own words based on what they have been taught in class. Throughout the whole process of examination, student will be able to adopt and implement in a faster speed and improve their knowledge and performance during assessment (Assessment Handbook 2006). For this purpose, students can spend more time to do revision on other weaker subjects. 2.3 Brings knowledge to students. In addition, students will gain more knowledge. This is because examination is used to determine students ability to draw on a wide range of knowledge. It is to make sure that students can fully apply their knowledge in their daily life but not misuse their knowledge. The knowledge on science, geography and mathematics will be helpful for them to do better in everything in their life. Examinations should be replaced with other forms of assessment. 3.1 Assessment gives better explanations to students, The very first advantage all learners can have by doing assessment is that assessment gives better explanations to students. So that learners will be able to understand clearly and quickly on what they have learned after doing all the assessments. This ensures that students can absorb the syllabus completely but not partially and understand what they are learning about. As everyone knows, students who have good understanding will surely do better than those that do not understand every single thing. 3.2 Assessment helps learners to improve their performance. Moreover, learners are given timely feedback about the quality of their works and try to improve it without repeating any mistakes (Young 2005). Learners are also given some useful advices and recommendations by teachers about how to make things better. Every learner always needs good suggestions and feedbacks from others so that it will lead them to the road of success. This statement can be shown that assessment helps learners to improve their performance. 3.3 Assessment tests children in a proper and better way. Additionally, assessment tests children in a proper and better way as it could determine childrens ability to express oneself during oral presentation. For an example, children will be more confident in talking, presenting and voicing out their views, opinions and ideas. Apart from that, a good assessment could test children on their analysis skills and creativity. Through that particular way, children will be having the opportunity to learn to improve on their thinking skills and have more mature thinking than previous as efficient assessment are more focusing on higher level thinking skills (Crehan 1991). Students will probably give out more creative and special ideas. In the similar way, students will also get to sharpen their research and planning skill after doing many researches for assessment. 3.4 Examination does not work on students. Other than that, the reason why examination does not work on students is because of examinations usually test on students memory but not their real understandings (Newman 2000). In the other words, this statement also means that student who has good memory can do excel in all the tests. On the other hand, student with bad memory might get low grades. There are also some lazy students who always do last minute revision tend to memorise everything on their notes without even trying to understand the principles. Therefore, students often assume that they understand and eventually they will never remember things that they have learned before. Also, examinations tests students ability to keep cool more than their intelligence. (Newman 2000). A case in point, during the examination, if a student is too nervous, the student normally will forget about everything. Hence, student frequently needs to keep himself /herself cool so that student can perform well in exam and avoid themselves from d oing mistakes in the test. 3.5 Examination brings negative effects to students. Furthermore, examination brings more negative effects than giving more positive effects to students. Firstly, over-testing will also cause children to have stress. In most of the schools, students will be sitting for more than four examinations in a year and that can be so stressful to students. Stress is invisible and difficult to be seen. That is why many people do not realise the power of stress. Consequently, there are many commit suicide cases that can be seen in newspaper in our country recently such as a large number of students who get unsatisfied results in the exam. Some of the students cannot handle the pressure and accept the fact will eventually choose to end their life by committing suicide. Besides, dreadful examinations can cause personal problems such as peer pressure and low confidence to students. According to some legal reports, students will lose their self confidence in their studies and prone to exhaustion and illness when they cannot bear with the large tensio n. Conclusion Based on the evidences that I have pointed out, I strongly agree that examination should be replaced with other forms of assessment. The main reason is because I always believe that other forms of assessments are more beneficial to students compared to written examinations. As I have mentioned above, the disadvantages of examination are slightly more than its advantages and it has greater impact on students. Thus, there are several serious actions that are needed to be carried out in order to solve this problem. To overcome this particular problem, the very first thing government, ministry of education, or other relevant bodies should do is to start practicing both study methods which are examination and assessment on students. Those relevant bodies will have to examine students performance from time to time. So, comparisons and differences can be easily made and seen after some period of time. Then, the effects of other forms of assessment on students can be proven to everyone. Of c ourse, the importance of other forms of assessment should not be ignored too. In fact, education department should try to emphasis more on the advantages assessments and also introduce this new education system to every school. For example, students grades are all depended by their performance in the form of presentation, oral assessment, practical work and many more to count. So that it will be an early practice for students before they step into their later working life or social life. It can be said that all of us are afraid of examinations. In the meantime, examinations should be replaced with other forms of assessment in all the schools as it may be a huge burden for students. Huge burden will not only cause students to lost interest and but also lost concentration in studying. Last but not least, I personally think that the process of doing assessment is much more interesting than sitting for examination. At least, assessment is less stressful compared to examinations and thus it may be an attraction to students. Through assessment, we can learn many things that can never be found in the text books. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Students will have improvement in their studies if they are hard working to do more practices and never ever try to give up whenever they fall. On the contrary, if students do not even bother to put effort in their studies, no one can actually help them. In short, efforts are to be made to lead our education to reach a higher level.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

A World Of Intoxification :: essays research papers fc

A world of intoxification Screams pierced the midnight air and students ran wildly about the campus. Police cars whizzed by with their sirens blaring in the night. Glass was being broken and girls were being defiled. Confusion was all around and no one could stop it. This is an average night at any given university in America. The similarities between a horror story and a story about a college party are too many. At an average college party where alcohol is being served there is the possibility of fights, rape, death, destruction, and jail time. The common opinion in America is that all of these things are bad. So why do college students continue to engage in these activities? There are three reasons. First, if students have not been exposed to alcohol or drugs previously, when they get into that kind of environment, they will experiment. Secondly, if everyone else who is important, i.e. fraternities and sororities, does it, then to be important, you must drink. Finally, without pare nt instilling morals and good judgment into their children, the students do not think that it is wrong to participate in these activities. All in all, the biggest problem on college campuses is the consumption of alcohol and drugs. If a person was never exposed to the heat of a flame their whole life, and then was thrown into a family barbeque, where they asked this person to cook, how well would they do? They would probably put too much lighter fluid in the grill. Or, they would light the grill while looking at it to see what it did. Or, they would light the grill and then put their hand on it to see what it felt like. All of these things would cause extreme pain to the person who did this. But, would it be their fault? Would it be their fault that they didn’t know how combustible lighter fluid was? It wouldn’t be their fault if they put their hand on it and singed the flesh off of their hand. It wouldn’t be their fault because they were never exposed to it. Th e same thing can be said about drinking and drugs at college. If the person was never exposed to alcohol or drugs and they were thrown into a place where people engage in these activities on a regular basis, of course they would experiment.