Economic Indicators in the Oil Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economic Indicators in the Oil Industry - Essay Example The six economic indicators selected are inflation rate, unemployment rate, real gross domestic product per capita, population growth rate, amount of housing & vehicles in comparison with population size, and consumer spending. Inflation is an indicator that determines the stability of an economic system. The desired state is to have a low inflation rate. A currency that is possibly the most stable monetary unit as far as having a historical low inflation is the U.S. dollar. On the flip side a high inflation is bad sign since it implies the customer is losing a lot of purchasing power over time. A high inflation could lead to disaster and an escalation to hyperinflation which is a chaotic economic state whose latest victim is the African nation of Zimbabwe (CultureGrams, 2007). The unemployment rate of country provides insight into how many potential customer there may be for a particular product. A person without employment has a limited budget thus can not spend much on consumer products. A low unemployment rate is a rate that hovers around five percent or below. The real gross domestic product of a nation per capita provides information about how much money each person in community represents for the economic system. The higher the better the economy, but this numeric figure must be compared against the cost of living of the inhabitants of the region. The population growth rate provides insight into how big a specific marketplace will become in the future. The population growth rate is low in China due to the 1979 one child per matrimony restriction, in other parts of the world such as Latin America the population growth rate high, for example the population of Mexico is expected to grow by a cumulative 50% by the year 2030 (Whitbeck, 1999). The last two economic indicators that will discuss are consumer consumption and the total housing and vehicle units in comparison with the population of

Education reforms Essay Example for Free

Education reforms Essay The problems experienced in the K-12 level of education in U. S. A today are a serious threat to the health of the economy and the future prosperity of society in general. The quality of education is deteriorating though the government has increased funding by 44 percent. â€Å"A rising tide of mediocrity† as reported by the federal commission was the key factor that causes the K-12 education to deteriorate (Kurt 2003). There are no parental choice programs that give them the power to make decisions on how the school should be run. The children are assigned to schools that are nearer to their place of residence and this is based on zoning rules. Another problem is that public schools are performing below the standard and they are not held accountable for their performance. â€Å"The schools are lacking incentive to improve quality or take control of the costs for they are protected by the education act of the government. † (The Washington Post 2008 April 3) The private and religious schools are performing well as opposed to the public schools and this has a negative significance to the students who are enrolled in public schools. Due to the problems discussed above then the government must address the bureaucratic structure reform and especially the public education. For the discussed problems I would advocate for empowering of parents so that they will ensure that students are served better than the administration. They will also be allowed to transfer their children from the schools that are not performing and consequently this will compel the school to improve their quality. The government should ensure that public school are performing and more so come up with strategies that will enable them to perform. The reform will make the schools to be more resourceful with their finances and follow the curriculum accordingly. In his recent public speech, Senator McCain noted that â€Å"markets have losers and winners and United States of America cannot afford any losers in a game of educational roulette. † (The New York Times 2008 July 14). The choice of programs will allow parents to take their children to schools within or outside the districts depending on the performance. There should be also introduction of charter schools which are publicly funded but managed by private officers. â€Å"The bureaucratic systems that prevent funds from reaching the teaching fraternity should be abolished. † (William B. 2007) The two presidential candidates have realized that the deterioration of America’s educational system will be a major concern as for the voters. They have therefore come up with various proposals to reform K-12 education once they get into power. Senator Barrack Obama will establish national standards by ensuring that national tests are done on a voluntary basis. He also promises to empower parents to improve the educational quality and academic achievement. On the other hand, Senator McCain proposed that parents will be allowed to use the proceeds to reform K-12 education as well as pay for their children’s university fees. This is an idea that was rejected by President Clinton but McCain wants to reintroduce the bill. In The New York Times dated 14th July 2008, â€Å"there was an agreement by school officials that vouchers foster competition and thereby force public schools to improve. † Also in The Washington Post dated 3rd April 2008 it was noted that â€Å"new choices in education have sent a powerful message to schools and prompt some of them to acknowledge a threat of competition. † To summarize, it is clear that public schools are providing substandard education to the students. It is because of this reason that there is need to address the bureaucratic structure of schools that does not put the interests of the learners at heart. References Greenwood C. (2008 April 3) K-12 education reforms. The Washington Post. Kurt Finsterbusch (2003) Annual Editions: Social Problems. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education William George Bruce (2007)The American School Board Journal Michigan: National School Boards Association A Smith,(2008 July 14) Bureaucratic System of Education. The New York Times.

Xerox :: essays research papers

COUNTRY ISSUES Culture, Social, and Demographics:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When examining any company and their possible expansion into new markets you must first examine the culture, social, and demographic issues impacting foreign businesses. The Colombian culture has begun to show a bias towards American products as recently as 1998. As written in Carol Casper's New York Times article, 'There is a lot of interest in U.S. concepts and products...'; in not only Colombia but also all of Latin America. The interest has caused more American firms to begin to see these developing attitudes and expand their businesses into Latin America. For Xerox to also take part in this expansion they would be able to take advantage of the new interest.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Colombians, although, are not welcoming these companies with open arms. There is an interest in the U.S. businesses but as Dianna Jean Schemo reports; it is not uncommon to be threatened by the cartels of Colombia. These cartels want in on the inflow of money and will get involved in kidnappings and murderer if they see it necessary. In 1996, the last year these figures are available, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported 19,645 homicides while in Colombia there were 26,627. For the fear of being on the wrong end of such instances American businesses need to be extra careful when trying to penetrate the Colombian marketplace. Xerox would not be as impacted by the threat of cartel interference. The cartels become more involved with restaurants and oil companies that have developed in Colombia. They have not developed any interest in the technology industry as of yet.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Colombia has a population of 37 million Spanish-speaking people. The annual growth rate is 1.7% and 95% of the population is Roman Catholic. In the urban areas a 93% literacy rate was found, as opposed to a 67% literacy rate in rural areas. This is due to the fact that only five years of primary school are offered in rural areas. This information regarding the population is encouraging. Although the rural population's literacy rate is low, the urban rate is quite high for a Latin American country. This rate leads me to believe that for Xerox to expand in this market with its technology/communication equipment would not be a problem. The majority of the targeted population where Xerox would be selling their products could understand the benefits of their product and would want to purchase Xerox products. Political/Governmental Concerns:

Lorraine Hansberrys A Raisin In The Sun Essays -- essays papers

A Raisin in the Sun In A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry portrays obstacles that the Younger family and other African Americans had to face and over come during the post World War 2 era. Obstacles that had to be over come by the Youngers were economical, moral, social, and racist obstacles. Lorraine Hansberry, the author of the play had to face one of these as well growing up. Born in Chicago on the south side in an all black neighborhood, Lorraine Hansberry and her family had to deal with segregation. Moving to a white neighborhood in Chicago, her family had to deal with threats of violence and legal action. Her father defended the case successfully all the way to the Supreme Court.(sparknotes1) Her parents were well known in national black culture and political circles, which probably sparked her to latter become a reporter and editor for the Freedom, a black newspaper in New York from 1950-53. Hansberry relates her life situations through her play by having the Younger family deal with a similar circumstance. In the play Lena Younger or better known as mama, receives a 10,000-dollar check because her husband had past away. She decides to buy a house in Clybourne Park, which is an all white neighborhood. After finding out a black family is moving to Clybourne the so-called Organization Committee sends out a Mr. Lindner to welcome the Youngers. He d...

Writing Compartive Essays

Writing Comparative Essays †¢ encouraging you to make connections between texts or ideas †¢ engage in critical thinking & go beyond mere description or summary to generate interesting analysis: – when you reflect on similarities & differences you gain a deeper understanding of the items you are comparing, their relationship to each other & what is most important about them. Although the assignment may say â€Å"compare,† the assumption is that you will consider both the similarities and differences; in other words, you will compare and contrast.Establishing a Basis of Comparison†¦ †¢ Objects must share some significant characteristics†¦.. (same class or general category) †¢ no basis of comparison if there is no common element †¢ If the similarities & differences between the objects are all simply obvious the reader of the essay is certain to be bored†¦. So the basis of comparison should go beyond the obvious†¦ When 2 subjects are very similar, it is the contrast that may be worth developing more When 2 subjects are not very much alike, you may find their similarities enlightening. Bees and People = absurd †¦. iffer in species, physical structure, intelligence both are: – social animals that live in complex social structures, – have tasks to perform & roles to fulfill in their respective societies = so we could write but focus on the common elements that seem most provocative = social structures & roles Bees and Jeeps Human Beings and Golf Tees = NO few points of comparison = very trivial ones bees & jeeps = travel great distances = dumb similarity people & tees = needed to play golf = dumb similarity = no significant basis of comparison = NO C&C essay YOU CANNOT WRITE A C&C ESSAY IF THERE ARE NO SIMILARITIES †¦. verything on the planet has differences so the aim here is to find similarities and then develop differences†¦. Points of Comparison (& contrast) †¢ treat the s ame, or at least similar, elements for each subject: Novel A Major characters Minor characters Themes Novel B Major characters Minor characters Themes NOT Novel A Major characters Minor characters Themes Novel B Minor characters Language Plot Deciding Your Purpose†¦. C&C solar & wind energy ask yourself†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Why do I want to C&C these objects. Do you want to inform, to emphasize, to explain, to evaluate, to persuade that one side is better than the other?Do you have more than one purpose? Your purpose will influence the content & organization of your comparison & contrast essay Comparative Essays may be: persuasive or informative (your thesis statement signals this purpose) Your assignment for this class = Informative C&C essay C&C solar & wind energy TO INFORM TO PERSUADE Provide information about both in order to determine whether one is better than the other as a practical means of producing significant amounts of energy†¦. Proving that one technology is superi or to the otherProvide information about both in order to determine that both are a practical means of producing significant amounts of energy†¦. Formulating a Thesis Statement†¦ †¢ identify the subjects to be C & C †¢ Indicate comparison as well as contrast †¢ indicate whether you will concentrate on similarities or differences or whether you will balance the two †¢ list the main points of comparison or contrast in the order in which they will be discussed in the essay (essay map) Despite the fact that television and radio are distinctly different media, they use similar strategies to appeal to their audiences. o essay map = ? TS = for an informative C&C = no stance = no taking a side underlined part = signals contrast italicized part = signals comparison focus / emphasis is on — comparison = as it is stated at the end of the thesis Although Melville’s ‘Moby Dick’ & London’s ‘The Sea Wolf’ are both about t he sea, minor characters, major characters, and themes of Moby Dick establish its greater complexity. TS = for an argumentative C&C essay = stance underlined part = signals comparison italicized part = signals contrast = focus of the essayCompare and contrast the reasons why the North and South fought the Civil War. The North and South fought the Civil War for many reasons, some of which were the same and some different. While both sides fought the Civil War over the issue of slavery, the North fought for moral reasons while the South fought to preserve its own institutions. While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.While Callaghan’s â€Å"All the Years of Her Life† and Mistry’s â€Å"Of White Hairs and Cricket† both follow the conventions of the coming-of-age narrative, Callaghan’s story ad heres more closely to these conventions by allowing its central protagonist to mature. In Mistry’s story, by contrast, no real growth occurs. †¢ ThS = differences outweigh similarities – essay focus = differences Although Darwin and Lamarck came to different conclusions about whether acquired traits can be inherited, they shared the key distinction of recognizing that species evolve over time. ThS = similarities outweigh differences – essay focus = similarities †¢ No essay map = ? †¢ The focus of the essay = later half of the ThS †¢ Provide a detailed essay map in the later half of your thesis statement NOT in the first half †¢ Thesis for an informative C&C = no stance †¢ Thesis for an argumentative C&C = stance You need to focus the topics given to you – this focus should be evident in your Introduction and then later developed in your Thesis Statement.C & C solar & wind energy = TS = no essay map for both but notice that on e takes a side and the other does not. TO INFORM Solar energy & wind energy both, are practical alternatives to conventional energy sources, though they have their own unique characteristics & uses. TO PERSUADE While both solar and wind energy are practical technologies, solar energy now seems the better investment. Whether your paper focuses primarily on difference or similarity, you need to make the relationship between A and B clear in your thesis.Structuring the Essay†¦. Subject-by-Subject = purpose is to emphasize overall similarities or difference †¢ Say everything you have to say about the first subject, then move on & make all the points you want to make about the second subject and so on. †¢ In discussing each subject, you use the same basis of comparison & arrange these points in the same logical order. Appropriate for: short, uncomplicated papers. .. simple comparison†¦. points of comparison are general & few in number. †¢ Seems like 2 separate es says are weakly connectedPoint-by-Point = purpose is to emphasize individual points of similarity or difference. †¢ make a point about one subject & then follow it with a comparable point about the other Appropriate for: longer more complicated essays in which you discuss many different points. readers can easily follow your points. Nevertheless†¦.. it is easy to fall into a monotonous, back-and-forth movement between points †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. use clear transitions & vary sentence structure as you move from point to point. †¢ Each similarity for A & B can usually be handled in one paragraph in the body of the essay. Each difference for A & B may not be handled in one paragraph – try to split each point of contrast into 2 paragraphs even when using the point-by-point format†¦ (do remember to link the two paragraphs with a transitional sentence) †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. remember the stress is NOT on the number of points that u mention BUT on the DEPTH OF DEVELOPMENT Analogy†¦. When a subject is unobservable, complex or abstract – when it is so generally unfamiliar that readers may have trouble understanding it – analogy can be most effective. An analogy: – Looks for similarities & differences between 2 essentially dissimilar things. Compares the difficult/abstract/unfamiliar to the more familiar Think of the human genome as the ingredients list for a massive Thanksgiving dinner. Scientists long have had a general understanding of how the feast is cooked. They knew where the ovens were. Now, they also have a list of every ingredient. Yet much remains to be discovered. In most cases, no one knows exactly which ingredients are necessary for making, for example, the pumpkin pie as opposed to the cornbread. Indeed, many, if not most, of the recipes that use the genomic ingredients are missing, and there’s little nderstanding that why small variations in the quality of the ingredients can â⠂¬Å"cook up† diseases in one person but not in another. (another e. g. on pg 166) True Comparison Analogy analyzes items that belong to the same class – types of engines. Purpose = seeks to illuminate specific features of both subjects e. g. pairs things from different classes – with nothing in common except through the imagination of the writer Purpose = to clarify the one subject that is complex or unfamiliar craft of fiction writing —- craft of carpentry †¦ analogy helps the reader visualize an abstract or unobservable thing

buy custom Qassim Cement Factory essay

buy custom Qassim Cement Factory essay This report has been compiled with the sole objective of showing stakeholders of the Qassim Cement Company the progress made by the company. This is a symbol of their commitment to the betterment of this organization. The company profile is discussed in the first part of this paper. This will help to give stakeholders a brief history of the company as well as the legacy of Qassim Cement. The next section to be analyzed is the vision and the mission of the company, which illustrate the path, which the company would like to take, and provide a revised version of both. Next, the internal and external audit of the company will be considered. In the analysis, the internal factors of the organization are discussed in detail. The reason for including this section is to identify the internal strengths and weaknesses of the company. Following the internal audit there will be the external audit. The external audit is intended to demonstrate the cement industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and all factors that influence it. In the report, we will also provide a detailed benchmarking for the company to show ways through which the company can get a competitive advantage over its rivals. We will, in addition, establish annual objectives, which will mirror their long-term objectives and help to achieve them, and create a new organizational structure. This will help in fulfilling the objective of this report, which is to create a new strategy. That will be achieved by using various tools including the IFE matrix, the BCG matrix, and the QPSM matrix among others. Through these tools, we will provide professional opinions based on the information available as well as offer recommendations on how to proceed regarding our strategies and the future of the Qassim. 2.Company profile Establishment: The Qassim Cement Company is a cement company with its headquarters in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi company was established in August 1976, in accordance with the Royal Decree No. M/62 on 15 Shaban, 1396H. Two years later, on August 2, 1978, it became registered under commercial registration number 1131001224 on 28 Shaban, 1398, in Buraydah City. The companys principal activity is the production of cement and its derivatives. Location: The company is located at the heart of Saudi Arabia, in the region of Qassim specifically at Buraydah, 330km northwest of Riyadh. Policy: QCC operates on a policy to continuously review the progress of the company through regular audits and other techniques. Purpose: The companys primary purpose is to manufacture and sell cement and related commodities in Saudi Arabia. Italso performs all activities related to the cement manufacturing industry. Shareholders: The companys major shareholders are listed inthe Saudi Stock Exchange Market. This is under the Reuters code3040. Employees: According to a recent survey conducted on the company, it has approximately six hundred and fifty employees representing all departments. Capital structure: The authorized capital ofthe company is SAR 900 million fully paid. This total is divided into 90 million shares. On the other hand, these shares have a par value of SAR 10 per share. Assets: According to the survey conducted in 2010 by the Consolidated Audited Financial Report,Qassims total net operating revenues have declined byapproximately 1.84%.Values were estimated to range from SAR 986,557 to SAR 968,426. On the other hand, the return on equity has decreased from 32.93% to 26.99%. This is the total equity or net income of the company. The total assetturnover in return went from 26.82% to 24. 74%. Thus, the Net Profit Margin (Net Income/Net Sales) decreased from 61.02% to 51.69%. The Debt to Equity Ratio (Total Liabilities/Equity) dropped to critical 9.08% as compared to 22.77% in thelast year. On the other hand, the Current Ratio (Current Assets/Current Liabilities) went from 3.49% to 4.96%. These figures are taken and compared withthe same period inthe previous year. The latest statistics of April 2012 revealed that the last trade was at 83.75 SAR. Products and services: The company manufactures three main types of cement namely: Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC/Type I), which has been produced from the onset of the company. This type was the first to be manufactured by the company in 1976. The other two types are Sulphate Resistant Cement (SRC/Type V) and Limestone Cement - Finishing Cement. The company is a consumer-oriented firm. This means that it controls mining from the quarries to manufacture finished cement. Since then, the Qassim Cement Company (QCC) has held the status of being one of the best cement manufacturers in the continent. Market Targets: The company targets consumers in the Northwest and Central Saudi region. The greatest competitor facing by the company in this region is Yamama Cement. Production: Over the years since its inception, the company has been consistently increasing its productivity. For example, in 1986, the company increased its production capacity from 2,000 tpd to 4200 tpd. In 1996, production capacity was increased to 4,700 tpd, and seven years later the capacity was 5000 tpd. To aid in this development, the company underwent several technological changes. For instance, improvements were made by the France FDB with the objective of reducing dust emissions from plants. Other issues that had been addressed together with technological innovations included the improvement of the energy efficiency of a plant. In 2007, the company made some improvements with the help of the Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Company Limited (IHI) of Japan to increase the production capacity of the plant. These improvements doubled the companys capacity. Because of the increasing demand for cement, the company plans to embark on an expansion project that will lead to the construction of four additional plants. The projected outcome of this is that it will boost production by at least 6million tons. 2.1 Qassim and corporate social responsibility Corporate social responsibility is a very important aspect for any organization. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a way for organizations to give something back to the society for their labor, resources and support. This gives the company a good public image, resulting in a competitive advantage over its competitors. CSR policy acts as a built-in, self-regulating mechanism for QCC, whereby the business is monitored. This ensures that the organization adheres to the law, ethical standards and international norms. Although corporate social responsibility sometimes may appear as if the company adds to its expenses, it pays off in the long-run, since more people in the community will desire to work in the company. In addition, more investors will want to be affiliated with it. The Qassim Cement Company has played a key role in promoting the community. Some of the key areas that have been affected arethe health sector, the education sector and the environment. 2.1.1 Health Health is a key area in the society. A healthy workforce ensures that employees maximize on productivity. One of the most notable contributions initiated by Qassim is a project that is aimed at analyzing the validity, safety and fitness of all types of human food. The project is supposed to be launched in the Burayda city, and it consists of very sophisticated lab work to ensure good quality food for human consumption. Another notable contribution is the establishment of an underage handicapped center. This center is aimed at hosting children with various disabilities. By showing the community that they support them, they win more customers. This acts as a competitive advantage for the firm. 2.1.2 Finance The company is also responsible for the King Aziz women charity foundation, which is a microfinance institution meant to provide microloans for small micro enterprises (SMEs). 2.1.3 Education Qassim has been financing the education sector for years. This money has helped educational facilities accommodate more people as well as afford equipment and books needed for quality education. 2.1.4 Environment The environment is a key component of the community. Thus, QCC has established programs that measure, monitor and improve the environment. The companys environmental policy helps them monitor the progress made in the environment. The company has also gone an extra mile at ensuring that the rate of air pollution from dust has been reduced to less than 30mg/m3. QCC has invested significantly in controlling all pollution sources throughout the years. Furthermore, the company has taken up capital investment projects to help in the reduction of fugitive dust. The company has further built a water treatment plant to treat wastewater. The company also has over 48,000 plants and a vast landscape of approximately 21,000 sq.m. The level of CO2 emissions has also been significantly reduced. Currently, Qassim has been applying a mining system, where advanced management systems are used in quarries to preserve natural resources. 2.2 Company vision The vision of the company is to become a leading regional cement and building materials company that is globally recognized for its customer focus, operational excellence and high quality products. 2.2.1 Revised vision Today, the company worksonattaining a prosperous future in the industry. This is possible by ensuring superior customer satisfaction. Another way of attaining this objective is by consistently providing high quality products that conform to the set standards. 2.3 Company mission The mission of Qassim Cement is to become cement and building materials company that will persist in providing quality commodities in an environmental friendly and efficient way. Another mission is to maximize stakeholders wealth. 2.3.1 Revised mission Today, the company aims to provide quality management systems. This is in order to promote skills, training and knowledge. The company also aims to incorporate the virtue of teamwork in its employees in order to maximize production. 3. Internal factors analysis Internal Audit (INA) of any organization helps the management to understand the various factors within the company that are likely to affect the company. It is important for managers to analyze the internal environment of the business so that to they can be able to strengthen their strong points further as well as eliminate their weak points. In the case of Qassim industry, the company has a very strong labor force, which is a major strength for the company. Below, other internal factors that is likely to influence the company: 3.1Management Qassim Cement is managed by a board of various members. This board is led by a chairman, a vice chairman and a general manager, who is also a board member. This board is accountable for executing and revising the effectiveness of the companys internal control framework as approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, the manager with the backing of the board sets companys ideals and ethical code of conduct that all employees must abide by in order to retain their jobs. Other roles of management in the company include: 1. To implement systems and measures within the company to identify any unconventionality, control and report on major risks facing the company. These risks could be in the form of changes in market prices of raw materials, breaches of the law or regulations, unauthorized activities and fraud. 2. To conduct constant annual reviews aimed at identifying enormous risks facing the economy. This role is accomplished through monitoring through various management committees that have been established to ensure the effectiveness of the companys control framework. This committee also maintains specific oversight of key risks 3. To centralize functional control over all computer system developments and operations in the company. 4. To consult with stakeholders and stockholders on the best market opportunities to exploit. 5. To maintain the oversight of business operations and manage actions to ensure consistency with regulatory requirements. 6. To put systems and procedures for the constant identification, evaluation and management of substantial risks faced by Qassim in place throughout the year. These procedures enabled Qassim to discharge its obligations with the code of conduct dictated by the industry. 3.2 Human resources Qassim operates based on the belief that human resources are the most valuable asset they possess. The company has been continuously developing its value proposition by ensuring that its employees get continuous personal and professional growth. The company operates on a culture, whereby employees are highly skilled with great backgrounds and experience. The company ensures that the working environment is safe and ideal for their workers. To enforce this, they offer their workers health insurance covers with one of the best policies in Saudi Arabia. QCC has swimming pools, recreation centers and playgrounds for employees. The company strives to maintain its employees, since the workforce is the most valuable asset of the organization. To ensure quality, excellence and increased performance, the company urges its employees to get educated. The company has programs that train new employees and the existing ones incase they need to acquire skills that are more advanced. Since the establ ishment of the Qassim Cement Company, the development of a reliable workforce has been a strategy behind the success of QCC. The company has initiated several development programs, which are aimed at developing its employees with special focus on the local workforce. An example of such a program is a professional development program, the target of which is newly graduated engineers. The company attracts them to join this program in order for them to develop and specialize their skills. This ensures that the company has a well-trained workforce that is competent and accountable, hence guaranteeing excellence in the running of the company. Another program that is geared towards developing a reliable workforce is the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF). This program ensures that QCC recruits more than 140 employees from Saudi Arabia. 3.3 Property The company plans to embark on an expansion project that will result in the construction of four additional plants. The projected outcome of this is that it will boost production by at least 6million tons. 3.4 Environmental perspective Qassim aspires to be recognized as a company that promotes sustainability in the environment. Over the years, the company has established several programs that are aimed at protecting the environment by reducing the level of pollution. This can be achieved through reducing carbon dioxide levels released as well as dust waste. Furthermore, the company has programs that are aimed at recycling waste, and conserving water and electricity. The company has tried to create an awareness culture in their staff as well as the rest of the society so that everyone can learn to appreciate and treat the environment with respect. 3.5 Security and safety The Qassim Cement Company management is focused on ensuring the culture of health and safety. The company continuously evaluates and analyzes safety gaps existing to determine means of improving safety measures companywide. The objective of this is to raise employees, contractors, customers and visitors safety perception. To achieve this, the company will have to conduct numerous surveys, risk assessments and benchmarking. To enforce this, QCC management is committed to: 1. Implementing the latest international safety standards within an integrated safety management system. 2. Provide training and creating safety awareness, as well as providing safety tools and equipment. 3. Develop and implementing evacuation and emergency plans. 3.6 Information Technology The company has been utilizing modern technology to improve productivity, as well as smooth out the production process. For instance, because of modern technology, the company can communicate effectively as well as run internal systems properly. The company broadly applies Information Technology to ensure consistency in the quality of products. Another use of Information Technology is to automate the business process as well as to reduce the lead-time. 3.7 Community service and sustainability Qassim, as a company, has over the years become a dynamic and legally responsible company that has over the years incorporated the community into its operations. The company has undertaken several projects focused on promoting the living standards of the people in the community around. 4.Industry structural analysis Industry Qassim Cement functions in the cement and building industry of Saudi Arabia. Since the country became a member of the World Trade Organization, there has been emerging projects of economic cities being built every day. In Saudi Arabia, the cement and building industry is characterized by strength, stability and resilience. The cement industry consists of eight listed companies. Each one of these companies has integrated plants. In total, these companies produce approximately 28.5 million tonnes (mt) and 33.1mt respectively. Presently, Yamama Cement (YCC) is the largest cement company at the present moment. 5. External audit A companys external environment includes factors outside the company's boundaries that significantly influence decisions made in the company. These macro environment factors are in the outer ring and include: 5.1 Societal values and lifestyles The society keeps on changing with time. These changes can be caused by an increased income. This means that the average disposable income of Saudis has increased as a result of economic stability. Thus, they are in further need of better housing. The development of social facilities also leads to an increase in the demand for building facilities. 5.2 Population demographics and geography As the population increases, the demand for housing also increases leading to the expansion of the cement industry. In addition, with an increased choice and easier access and switching, consumers are more demanding than ever before? This has resulted in an increased demand for cement for infrastructure. In the case of Qassim, the company is located in a highly populated area that has been rapidly evolving. The Qassim Cement Company is strategically located giving it a strong geographical advantage. Another notable factor is that it is the company with the lowest cement production cost in Saudi Arabia. This enables it to remain profitable. This creates an ample market for the organization. 5.3 Legislation and regulations The government is responsible for setting up policies that are beneficial to both organizations and consumers interests. The implemented trade laws and other fiscal policies ensure that organizations operate within the set parameters. This protects consumers from exploitation by traders. It also ensures that businesses operate smoothly in a manner that positively impacts the government. 5.4 General economic conditions This issue refers to the state of the economy. For instance, during the period of recession, most organizations lower their production, and the opposite fact is experienced during a boom. When the economy is thriving, more development takes place. This is beneficial for organizations, in this case, Qassim. 5.5 Technology Rapid changes and advancements in ICT are one of the major factors affecting the cement industry. Mainly because it relies heavily on technology, for services it provides, and usually allocates large portions of its budget to obtain and develop reliable technology to smoothly run the company. For instance, today most activities in Qassim are automated. This enhanced consistency in the quality of goods produced. 5.6 Political changes Politics greatly affects the economy of any country. A politically stable country is more likely to attract investors and donors, and hence, it results in the economic growth. Saudi Arabia has experienced political stability that has influenced the development of the country. Furthermore, the country recently joined the World Trade Organization, which has been a major milestone to the cement industry. Qassim cement factory Consolidated balance sheet of December 2011 ASSETS 2011 2010 Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 244,725,482 19,717,605 Trading investments 412,693,329 468, 579,796 Accounts receivables, net 46,110,418 50,728,168 Prepayments and debit balances, net 7,910,647 9,578,960 Inventories, net 188,903,510 186,635,430 Assets available for sale - - - 6,350,000 Total current assets 900,343,386 741,589,959 Non-current assets: Property, plant and equipment 1,170,180,909 1,222,589,445 Capital work in progress 20,744,559 22,953,521 Deferred expenses, net 32,274.562 35,871,839 Total non-current assets 1,223,200,030 1,281,414,805 Total assets 2,123,543,416 2,023,004,764 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Current liabilities: Trade payables 12,875,008 12,196,335 Accrued expenses 69,153,164 82483,781 Dividends 36,166,545 32,695,875 Zakat Provision 27,463,090 20,752,889 Total current liabilities 145,657,807 148,128,880 Non-current liabilities: Employees end of service benefits 22,215,149 20,269,662 Total non-current liabilities 22,215,149 20,269,662 Total liabilities 167,872,956 168,398,542 EQUITY Shareholders equity: Capital 900,000,000 900,000,000 Statutory reserve 190,546,424 135,256,410 General reserve 376,016,157 376,016,157 Retained earnings 490,394,133 444,584,010 Total shareholders equity 1,956,956,714 1,855,856,577 Minority interests (1,286,254) (1,250,355) Total equity 1,955,670,460 1,854,606,222 Total liabilities and equity 2,123,543,416 2,023,004,764 According to the balance sheet above the companys assets increased considerably from 2010 to 2011. Graphically, the balance sheet for 2011 can be represented by means of the following diagram: NB: The debt to assets percentage is 0.00% The Qassim Cement Company posted net profits of SR 158, 442,456 for the first quarter of 2012. This is an increase as compared to SR 147 176 466 gained in the first quarter of 2011. This shows a 7.65% increase in profits. Therefore, the consolidated gross profit increased by 4.87 %. The consolidated operating profit during the first quarter of this year (2012) is SR162, 195,404 as compared to SAR 151,687,337 for the corresponding quarter in 2011. This demonstrates an increase of 6.93 %. For three months, earnings per share (EPS) amounted to SR1.76 against SR1.64 for the same period in the previous year. This increase in net profit over the same period can be caused by the improvement in sales value. NB: Earnings per share (EPS) are determined for operating income, expenses, and net profit for the year in accordance with theweighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. Comparative figures should amended by bonus shares. Income statement for 2011 Qassim has shown a sustained performance, outperforming the market in several areas, such as its net profit. The company also deals with the stock exchange market, where the public is the largest shareholder with 51%. The market is showing a positive attitude towards expansion and development. Its increased net profit and decreased operating costs indicate a positive outcome for the company. 7. Michael Porters five forces model The Porters model is used to evaluate the competitive position of a company or an organization. This model is used in strategic planning, since it helps managers and CEOs to understand their company as well as the industry better. The model represents complex concepts using easily accessible formats. The basic idea behind the Porters model is based on five fundamental competitive forces namely: Barriers to entry; Threat of substitutes; Bargaining power of buyers; Bargaining power of suppliers; Rivalry among the existing players. In my analysis, I used the Porters fiveforces model in regard withthe Qassim Cement Company to help me fully understand the competitive environment of the company. In addition, the model provides data that will help the management modify Qassims competitive forces. This will help to boost the position of the company. The information derived from this analysis of the Qassim Company can help the management of the company decide on how to influence or exploit certain aspects of their industry. Graphically these five concepts look as follows: Force 1: Rivalry among existing players: Qassim has been handling the competition rather well. It has been taking advantage of the possibility of growth in the industry among other things mentioned above. The Qassim Cement Company deals strictly with the production of cement. The company has eight key competitors in the country. Since the company commodities are homogenous, competitors are in a position to offer the same product at a cheaper price, and ccan market their products better than Qassim. Some factors that contribute to increasing rivalry in the Saudi cement industry include: The large number of cement companies: Saudi Arabia contains several cement companies, which are considered direct competitors to Qassim. Such companies include Yamana and Saudi Cement among others. These companies are all competing for the same consumers in the market. Thus, just like in any industry the greater the number of competitors, the greater the threats available. Such a factor strongly impacts the strategy chosen by each company. High market growth rate: the cement market in Saudi Arabia has been growing tremendously over the years and it still has massive potential to expand. Today, there are over 8great cement companies in Saudi Arabia, which have branches all over the country to cover the vast demand. Qassim is taking advantage of the market potential and has been setting up investments all over inorder to help it gain a greater market share. Similar commodities being offered: The cement industry is flooded with homogenous products, since cement cannot be extensively differentiated. Thus, the market is flooded with cement from different industries competing for the greatest market share. However, what varies is the companys commitment and ability to fulfill their customers needs. Low switching cost: Since there are many cement companies in the country, customers can easily switch brands and not suffer any losses. Therefore, companies strive to maintain loyal customers in order to increase their sales and remain in business. High exit barriers: The cost of exiting an industry is remarkably high, and most companies cannot leave their current industries because of the risk of losses. Thus, companies are left stuck in industries that do not benefit them. Force 2: Threat of substitutes: As a decision maker, it is crucial for any organization to analyze the likelihood of the commodity getting substituted. In Qassims case, consumers can only change the brand of cement, since cement has no substitute. Managers should determine the switching cost of consumers switching to another brand. The likelihood of consumers switching to another product should be analyzed. Consumers tastes and preferences are not permanent, and in order to address this issue, decision-makers have to be aware of what consumers need and constantly upgrade their commodities. Force 3: Bargaining power of buyers/consumers: In Saudi Arabia costumers have increasing bargaining power over commodities they get. One main reason that backs this move is the availability of options for customers, since there are other cement companies in the country. This means there are many cement companies, all offering similar services. Therefore, the only way, Qassim can maintain its clients, is by creating customer loyalty by providing customized commodities based on consumers needs. The company has to make products that are geared towards consumer satisfaction. This way, consumers will remain loyal to the brand that meets their needs in the best way. Price sensitivity also plays a great part in maintaining consumers. This is because consumers attach themselves to products that give value for their money. Thus, the company must ensure that it is sensitive to the financial status of consumers and arguesfor fair prices for their commodities. Finally, the company should ensure that customers get the right information about their product. This can be achieved through proper advertising and marketing to ensure customers are not misinformed regarding the commodity. Force 4: Bargaining power of suppliers: This force relates to such aspects in the industry that are determined by suppliers. Qassim should establish how strong they are as sellers. In addition, they should establish all available suppliers in the industry and weigh their options. The impact of switching suppliers should be determined. For instance, how switching suppliers will affect the quality of commodities. In addition, switching costs of taking up other suppliers are also important. If switching costs are too high, companies may opt to retain their current suppliers. Another major factor is the threat of forward integration. Force 5: Barriers of entry: New entrants in the cement industry face significant challenges in attracting customers and expanding their market shares. Although there are some concerns around the operation of new companies and their regulation, most firms can achieve necessary regulatory authorization and meet standards set by the bureau of standards. However, we have found that new entrants face significant challenges in attracting customers. This can be a result of the combination of low levels of switching by existing customers, high levels of brand loyalty and consumers' preference for their current providers, whom they trust. These challenges pose a great challenge to new firms in the cement industry in Saudi Arabia. The impact of this is that new entrants get discouraged. This is because they harbor the fear that they may be unable to attract sufficient customers to help them recover start-up costs, grow their market share and maintain successful presence in the market. 8. Financial statement analysis 8.1 Cash Flow Statement Analysis The Qassim Company has a steady cash flow and a constantly increasing net profit. This is confirmed by further analysis. A positive number in Net Cash from Operating Activities is a great indicator of how healthy the companys operations are in generating cash. The annual cash flow of the Qassim Cement Company. (All values are in millions SAR) FY 2010 FY 2011 The cash flow from operations in the period of2010-2011 increased from 547.50 to 690.00. However, the cash gained from investments declined form 130.27 in 2010 to18.46 in 2011. The cash flow from financing activities increased slightly in2011, although values were negative indicating a loss or a deficit. Cash flow statement of the Qassim Cement Company for 2010/2011 Cash from Operating Activities 12/31/201112/31/2010 + Net Income 552.90 500.56 + Depreciation Amortization 90.46 98.00 + Other Non-Cash Adjustments 60.96 -1.62 + Changes in Non-Cash Capital -14.32 -49.45 Cash from Operations 690.00 547.50 Cash from Investing Activities + Disposal of Fixed Assets 8.87 0.58 + Capital Expenditures -16.05 -17.52 + Increase in Investments 0.00 0.00 + Decrease in Investments 0.00 0.00 + Other Investing Activities -11.29 147.21 Cash from Investing Activities -18.46 130.27 Cash from Financing Activities + Dividends Paid -446.53 -472.75 + Change in Short-Term Borrowings 0.00 0.00 + Increase in Long-Term Borrowings 0.00 0.00 + Decrease in Long-term Borrowings 0.00 -199.50 + Increase in Capital Stocks 0.00 0.00 + Decrease in Capital Stocks 0.00 0.00 + Other Financing Activities 0.00 -1.40 Cash from Financing Activities -446.53 -673.65 Net Changes in Cash 225.01 4.12 8.2 Shareholders Equity Statement Analysis Based on the statistics collected in 2003-2010, the total shareholders equity is listed below. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 1, 054,513 1,105,849 1,187,751 1,405,050 1,651,137 1, 902,345 2,166,600 2,411,686 1,956,956,714 According to the survey conducted on shareholders activities in the Qassim Cement Company, shareholders unanimously agreed to approve an interim dividend of SR 202.5 million for the income gained in the first half of 2011. This value amounts to SR 2.25 per share. It has been agreed that the company should transfer 10% of the annual net income to their statutory reserve. In addition, the general assembly has been given the power to stop such cash transfers in cases, when the total sum of money exceeds 50% of the paid capital. However, this reserve amount can be used as back-up plans to cover any unexpected losses or to increase its capital, rather than distributing it back to shareholders. However, shareholders must consent to this move of the company. Qassim shareholders have established a general reserve from their retained earnings. Another decision made during the last shareholders general assembly is that all dividends recorded in the same year should be approved by the general a ssembly of shareholders. 8.3 Balancing statement analysis Analyzing the Balance Sheet Statement, there are some items that must be discussed which include: The short-term investments of the company have reduced from 468.58 to 412.69 while the companys long-term assets have also reduced. However, the total assets have increased from 2,023.01 to 2,123.54 The companys current liabilities have reduced, while its long-term liabilities have increased. However, the total amount of liabilities for 2011 and 2010 are 167.87 and 168.40 respectively. The share capital and APIC and the total preferred equity have remained constant for the last two years. Retained earnings have also increased significantly, mainly because of the companys recent good business activities, as well as a healthy net income. It is worthwhile noting that the companys share capital increased over the years. 8.4 Income statement analysis: Income statement of the Qassim Cement Company for the period 2010/2011 12/31/2011 12/31/2010 Revenue 1,034.78 968.43 - Cost of Revenue 425.53 411.67 Gross Profit 609.25 556.76 - Operating Expenses 37.49 38.15 Operating Income 571.76 518.61 - Net Non-Operating Losses (Gains) -10.04 -4.26 Income Before XO Items 552.86 500.40 - Extraordinary Loss, Net of Tax 0.00 0.00 - Minority Interests -0.04 -0.16 Net Income 552.90 500.56 - Total Cash Preferred Dividends 0.00 0.00 Net Inc Avail to Common Shareholders 552.90 500.56 Abnormal Losses (Gains) 0.00 0.00 Normalized Income 552.90 500.56 Basic EPS before Abnormal Items 6.14 5.56 Basic EPS before XO Items 6.14 5.56 Basic EPS 6.14 5.56 Basic Weighted Average Shares 90.00 90.00 Diluted EPS before Abnormal Items 6.14 5.56 Diluted EPS 6.14 5.56 Diluted Weighted Average Shares 90.00 90.00 Gross profit and operating income are on the increase. In addition, the companys revenue has increased from 968.43 to 1,034.78 for the last two years. This resulted in an increase in the net income of the company from 500.56 to 552.8. 9. Generating Alternative Strategies Here we will use different matrixes to generate alternative strategies and make recommendations. (Input Stage) 9.1 EFE Matrix Key External Factors Weight Rating Weighted score Opportunity High demand for imported cement in India 0.05 1 0.05 Industry consolidation 0.11 3 0.33 Increased customer demand in Saudi Arabia 0.25 3 0.75 Growth prospects in the Saudi Arabian buildingsector 0.05 1 0.05 Increasing demand forcement in the Sri Lanka and African markets 0.15 3 0.45 Threat Stiff competition with eight core competitors 0.2 4 0.8 Uncertain global market 0.07 2 0.14 Economic downturn 0.15 1 0.15 Increasing prices of key inputs 0.03 2 0.06 Government oversight 0.05 3 0.15 Total 1.00 - 1.90 9.2 IFE Matrix Key Internal Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score Strengths Good contact with raw material suppliers 0.09 3 0.27 Operating their own quarries and workshops 0.12 4 0.48 Supportive employee culture 0.06 4 0.24 Companys strategic location 0.10 3 0.12 Buy custom Qassim Cement Factory essay

Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution of 1917 Essays

Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution of 1917 Essays Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution of 1917 Paper Animal Farm and the Russian Revolution of 1917 Paper Essay Topic: Animal Farm Animal Farm Russian Revolution George Orwell’s book Animal Farm (published in1943) is a children’s story, but when closely examined, it proves to be an allegory to the Russian Revolution. The events in the book are very closely related to the actual events from The Russian Revolution. Also, the animals (main-characters) are historically referring to the Communist leaders such as Leon Trotsky, Joseph Stalin, Karl Marx, and others. The book starts out with Old Major speaking to his fellow animals (representing the people during the Revolution). Old Major represents either V. I. Lenin or Karl Marx. Either way, he is representing the father of Communism. His speech urges the animals (â€Å"workers of the world†) to unite against their economic oppressors (humans in the book, Hitler in the Revolution). Old Major dies before he can see the way his followers carried on, as Lenin also died before he was able to witness final results of the Revolution. After Old Major (Lenin) dies, the three pigs Napoleon (Joseph Stalin), Snowball (Leon Trotsky), and Squealer (Stalin’s propagandist) develop the concept â€Å"Animalism†. This concept was really a fictional way of explaining Karl Marx’s Communist vision. This is when the animals decide to rebel and take over Manor Farm, giving it the new name Animal Farm. Every animal worked hard on the farm, and the revolt started as a success, as the Russian Revolution did. Previously, the animals had lead hard lives. Under Jones’ (Nicholas’) reign, the lives of millions of Russians got worse. The farm is overtaken from Jones, representing when Nicholas’ own generals withdrew their support of him. Nicholas left his throne hoping to avoid a civil war, but the war arrived anyway (in the form of the Bolshevik Revolution). Nicholas, like Jones, was removed from his place of rule. He died shortly after. Trotsky’s ideas were reflected when Snowball made plans to build the windmill. He thought it was the best way to put Old Major’s(Lenin/Marx) theories into practice. Trotsky’s army is also shown as the army of animals Snowball directs to get rebel against Jones. As Trotsky was exiled and killed by Stalin’s agents, Snowball was chased off the farm by Napoleon. Stalin gained powerful dictatorship; Napoleon gained powerful dictatorship. Power was valued, and cruel acts of terror and brutality broke out. Napoleon’s dogs are like Stalin’s secret police that he used to eliminate to get in complete control. Using Squealer (propaganda), Napoleon gains control and is able to affect the animal’s lives. The plan to build the windmill after all reflects Stalin’s Five Year Plan for growing the worlds industry etc. When Napoleon digs up Old Major’s skull, it represents how Stalin ordered Lenin’s body to be placed in the shrine-like tomb for Lenin. Napoleon’s starting of the Order of the Green Banner is Stalin’s starting of the Order of Lenin. The Battle of the Cowshed represents the Civil War that occurred after the Revolution. Adolf Hitler is represented by Frederick who formed an allegiance with Stalin(Napoleon), but somehow ended up fighting Stalin’s army later on. Frederick’s fake money revealed that he hadn’t been a true ally to Napoleon. Stalin’s purge is shown by Napoleon’s executions of the animals that confessed. Stalin conducted to rid himself of any possible threat, as Napoleon did in the book. As the hens began to rebel against Napoleon, so did the sailors at the Kronshdadt military base rebel against Communist rule†¦ the attempts to rebel failed. The Battle of the Windmill later on in the book reflects the U. S. S. R. ’s involvement in World War II (but more specifically the Battle of Stalingrad-1943). Stalin’s forces defeated Hitler’s (as Napoleon’s forces defeated Frederick). At the end of the book, the card game represents the Tehran Conference, where Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt met to discuss the ways to make a lasting peace after the war. Orwell mocks that peace in the book by having Napoleon and Pilkington flatter each other and then betray their natures by cheating in the card game. Animal Farm was written to make fun of Stalins corrupt rule in Russia. It was written based on The Russian Revolution, but it definitely shows how any Revolution can go wrong and get out of hand, like in the book. MAIN THEME: â€Å"The theory of a country in which everyone is equal, free and happy is but an illusion, a deception of reality, which is, that ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely’. That once tainted with the feeling of power, most will stoop to any level, and do whatever the cost to maintain that power. †

Impact of New Electronic Media on Egyptian Islam

Impact of New Electronic Media on Egyptian Islam Television Viewing Patterns and What they tell us about the Scope for Liberal Islamic Scholarship in Egypt The electronic media has the potential to influence public opinions. Egyptians use the media to educate themselves about their government. New electronic media refers to radio, television, podcasts and the internet. The internet is a dynamic source of information. It enables people to access the resources required to make well informed decisions. Due to the rapid growth of information and communication technology, Egyptians have been introduced to new schools of thought.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Impact of New Electronic Media on Egyptian Islam specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Before the advent of informative television programs, Egyptians may have viewed the western world as an oppressive regime which used the media to corrupt the minds of its consumers. The electronic media has introduced Egypt to the rest of the world. It has given Egyptians a chance to make well informed decisions that are based on facts. Rumor-mongering political figures have less influence now than they did before. According to Hamada (2001), television serves as a public forum through which Egyptians are able to engage in various social and political discussions. More than 15 years ago, controversial programs were censored by the Egyptian government. Information was passed through a strict political filter. The government only allowed culturally appropriate films to be broadcast. Egypt was under an oppressive regime. Egyptians have begun to voice their opinions. Information and communication technology has influenced Egypt’s political system in many ways. Before satellite television was introduced, Islamic scholars had strong reservations towards sex. Men were only allowed to socialize with women on rare occasions. Interactions between young men and women were strictly forbidden. Premarital sex was a sin that had to be punished based on strict Islamic laws. The western world has exposed Egypt to a more liberal approach towards marriage and sexuality. Islamic leaders are now more lenient than they were before. There have been some changes in Egypt’s traditional approach to courtship as well as other rites of passage. Some scholars have argued that Islam is the most influential religion (Labib, 1997). Modern technology has therefore been used to sustain the spread of Islam. However, new electronic media can be used to corrupt as well as improve the minds of many religious groups. Islam is no exception.Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In Egypt, new electronic media has given rise to what scholars refer to as progressive Islam. This relates to Egyptians who have been given the opportunity to express their own opinions. Technology can therefore be used to â€Å"to enhance public communications and enrich democracy† (Blumler and Gurevitch 2001). The media can be used to empower the people of Egypt. It is a powerful tool that can be used to topple oppressive establishments. According to Shukri (1996), Egyptian audiences were once restricted to a single news reporter who was aided by only one cameraman. News coverage was limited to regional events such as civil wars. Shukri (1996) argues that the Egyptian government was desperately trying to censor controversial radio broadcasts. Broadcasts that conflicted with Islamic beliefs were either shut down or officially banned. The advent of satellite television led to a paradigm shift in Egypt’s authoritarian system of government. CNN’s coverage of the 1991 conflict involving America and Iraq encouraged Arab nations such as Egypt and Saudi Arabia to take a keen interest in the news. In order to avoid clashing with the Egyptian authorities, CNN had to be re-tran smitted via terrestrial television. The government could no longer control the flow of information. Egyptians are now more liberal than they were forty years ago. They have learned to exploit resources that were once accessible to only a small number of people. Satellite television has given rise to uninhibited news broadcasts. New privately-owned channels have been launched in order to ensure free and objective news coverage. Al Jazeera, which was launched in 1996, is one of the aforementioned news channels. Its controversial broadcasts were once criticized by some of Egypt’s political figures. It now has a rapidly growing audience. There are more Arab journalists now than there were before. Arabic media houses have begun to produce programs that appeal to Islamic viewers. The audience is also able to access western channels which are not controlled by the Egyptian authorities. Satellite television broadcasts have given rise to political programs aimed at educating the Egypt ian public. Objective talk shows give the public a chance to formulate their own opinions. According to Habermas’s theory of the public sphere, the dissemination of information fuels the expansion of democracy within a given nation. Egyptians now have the right to participate in political debate. These kinds of discussions were not possible during Egypt’s previous autocratic regime. Al Jazeera provides its viewers with objective and reliable sources of information. Competition between popular Egyptian channels and Al Jazeera has ensured that Islamic news remains objective. Al Jazeera has raised the bar for quality news broadcasts. Al Arabia’s political talk shows provoke their audiences in a positive manner. Audiences are no longer kept in the dark.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Impact of New Electronic Media on Egyptian Islam specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The media has encouraged the Egyptian government to improve its foreign policy on more than one occasion. Laws that were once enforced through strict Islamic guidelines have been reviewed and adjusted to suit the needs of a more democratic nation. The western world defines democracy as the freedom to engage in open discussions. Democracy therefore refers to a system of government that treats everyone as an equal member of the society. Electronic forms of communication have paved the way for Egypt’s democratization. The media has, in turn, paved the way for many Egyptian channels. According to Habib (1997), Egyptians should be allowed to formulate their own opinions based on what they see. The government should allow its people to participate in open political debates. Egypt’s political leaders should encourage open forums. Surveys have shown that people are more likely to pay attention to the news if it affects them directly. Egyptian viewers are no different. The Egyptian government once favo red national development over democracy. Social amenities were more important than the civil rights of the Egyptian people. Egypt therefore had a well-developed infrastructure. The country also had a well-developed healthcare system. The people, however, were not at liberty to openly criticize their government. The electronic media has made it possible for Egyptians to openly criticize their government. The flow of information has given rise to popular participation. Researchers have argued that a society is more likely to achieve democracy if information is passed on to the public (Habib, 1997). The Egyptian government has been encouraged to view the public as an objective audience that is not easily corrupted by the media. The Egyptian media has therefore been granted the freedom to act with neither fear of censorship nor oppression. Nevertheless, Egypt’s news coverage still focuses on issues of Islam. Offensive broadcasts are still viewed as propaganda. Egyptians, who were once oblivious to the outside world, now have the freedom to express their individual opinions. Podcasts and chat rooms are some of the platforms that they can use to discuss their political views. Al Arabia is one of the many channels that have contributed to Egypt’s enlightenment. Egyptian consumers tune in to Al Arabia in order to educate themselves about the rest of the world. This has encouraged learning institutions to cater for American students in Egypt. Cairo University is one of the few institutions that have taken part in this initiative. Some scholars have argued that such initiatives can be used to encourage global unity (Labib, 1997).Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The electronic media has also encouraged other Islamic nations to participate in free and periodic elections. Islamic nations like Egypt and Palestine are exposed to the western world via satellite television. This encourages such nations to participate in the process of democracy. Private investors have encouraged liberal thinking among the Egyptian people. Organizations tend to advertise their products through electronic means. The Egyptian government is therefore unable to filter what it considers to be inappropriate for its public. Foreign investors sometimes sell their products through western-themed advertisements. The Egyptian government has been forced to cope with liberal concepts rooted within these marketing strategies. The public is therefore exposed to western concepts and ideas that were once thought to corrupt Islamic teachings. It is virtually impossible to stop the spread of such information. As a result, state-owned media houses such as the Egyptian Radio and Telev ision Union (ERTU), have worked tirelessly to enforce Islamic values. According to Blumler et al (2001), ERTU reflects a one-sided societal view of Egyptian politics. Habib (1997) asserts that new electronic media was spawned from the incremental growth of information and communication technology (ICT). Some Government-controlled media houses almost collapsed because Egyptian audiences had been exposed to liberal ways of thinking. Audiences are drawn to controversial news broadcasts. Foreign organizations are therefore more likely to invest in privately-owned media houses. However, the Egyptian government still filters broadcasts that have been blacklisted by Islamic leaders. Liberal Arabic channels are still able to bypass these restrictions. Technology has enabled Egypt to interact with the rest of the world. The internet is one of Egypt’s greatest platforms for sharing information. It is the catalyst that fuels the spread of ideas. Chat rooms and social networking sites ar e some of the many ways through which the Egyptian public is able to communicate with the rest of the world. They have paved the way for globalization. The Egyptian government has found it impossible to stop the spread of information. This is due to the fact that many people are able to access the internet in Egypt. Some people tune in to radio talk shows that encourage the freedom of expression. The internet is notorious for its outrageous and controversial content. As a result, many sites have been outlawed by the Egyptian government. The internet is also a source of controversial information that can be used to serve the selfish needs of certain individuals. Propaganda is one of the many ways through which electronic media can be used to spread fear and intimidation. The spread of propaganda can lead to riots. Several pieces of information can be altered in order to create controversy. Controversial updates can be used to sell stories or boost a channel’s ratings. Controve rsial news can also be used to expose the audience to matters of public interest. Blumler et al (2001) argues that the media has the potential to change the political system within a given society. Policy makers are often influenced by the media. Such technological advances can be used to expose corruption. Most researchers argue that audiences are objective consumers who cannot be easily manipulated (Hamada, 2001). Habib (1997) and Labib (1997) agree with this argument. Blumler et al (2001) argues that the media plays a vital role in Egypt’s democratization. Shukri (1996) does not agree with this interpretation and states that the media does not have the power to change Egypt’s political system. Government-owned television stations have the potential to inhibit the democratic process. They would much rather censor controversial broadcasts than give people a chance to make their own decisions. These media houses are owned by conservative Islamic moguls. These moguls of ten feel threatened by the ever-present influence of the western media. According to the Global Media Journal: It is a fact that Egyptians are bombarded with a huge number of Arab satellite television channels. Most of them are privately owned, while some are owned by different Arab states, in addition to many foreign channels. If we consider the language barrier and the inability of the overwhelming majority of Egyptians to access the non-Arabic satellite television, it makes sense to disregard non-Arab television from this research. Accordingly, the picture of Arab satellite television can be perceived in this way, because the television ownership is divided between the state and the private sectors. The state-owned channels are still defending the government news and views, preventing deviant and hostile attitudes and opinions from being heard. , Arab state-owned channels are far from being a public space. The private channels are owned by the wealthy businessmen whose main inter est is to gain and maximize revenue from advertising. The tendency towards maximization of profit determined the policy as well as the content of the programs of private channels which is non-informative, noncontroversial and mainly cheap entertainment (Hamada, 2008). Very few news channels have the courage to criticize the Egyptian government. Channels that launch verbal attacks against Egypt are either banned or outlawed. Stations like Al Jazeera emphasize on modern politics. Such stations encourage open discussions that involve the public sphere. Shukri (1996) argues that conservative audiences do not support such stations. Controversial content is often viewed as anti-Islamic propaganda. Objective audiences, however, take part in live forums in order to gain a broader understanding of their government’s policies. Egyptian talk shows take a more discreet approach towards criticizing the current regime. Talk show hosts are not allowed to discuss anything that offends the go vernment or the country’s religious beliefs. Despite Al Jazeera’s efforts to expose oppressive regimes, it still fails to highlight Egypt’s local concerns. According to Blumler et al (2001), Al Jazeera emphasizes on matters revolving around foreign policy thereby overlooking the local concerns of Egyptian citizens. Blumler et al (2001) argues that Egypt’s social amenities remain unchecked while liberal news stations cry foul about matters of international proportions. Egypt still suffers some constraints with regard to voicing public opinions during live political talk shows. Viewers with controversial opinions are not allowed on the air. Traditionalist Muslim leaders prefer to avoid discussions concerning politics and religion. However, Egyptian leaders have been put under a great deal of pressure to participate in political forums. According to Labib (1997), Egyptian policy makers have been forced to acknowledge the rights of the public. Call-in talk sh ows such as those evident in Al Jazeera have been revolutionary in providing the Egyptian people with civic education. They act as a platform for political forums. Policy makers are therefore expected to meet the demands of the public. Habib (1997) argues that conservative stations are becoming obsolete. Al Jazeera gives the Egyptian people a chance to express their views and opinions concerning matters of political interest. Talk shows and open forums enable people to engage in constructive debates. A few decades ago, Egyptian viewers did not have access to many sources of information. Their knowledge of politics was therefore limited. Dramatic themes were evident in nearly all forms of Egyptian entertainment. New television stations have exposed Egypt to alternative forms of entertainment. These channels have been criticized by many Egyptian traditionalists. They have been accused of spreading immoral western ideas on more than one occasion. However, they are very popular among Eg ypt’s youth. Young people enjoy western comedies and tend to ignore traditional broadcasts. Political talk shows are not as exciting as they should be. Pro-active viewers are sometimes given less than they deserve. Al Jazeera has therefore created several platforms that can be used for exciting political discussions. Some scholars have accused Egyptian channels of ignoring local news coverage. These channels have also been accused of broadcasting international news that barely affects the Egyptian people. Most channels are unable to remain objective for fear of censorship or cancellation. Other privately owned media houses tend to bend to the whim of the Egyptian government by failing to broadcast controversial information. Conclusion Hamada (2001) argues that the electronic media has given rise to a quasi-liberal political system in Egypt. Egyptians are more liberal now than they were forty years ago. Privately-owned media houses have precedence over state-owned organization s. Egypt is now a part of the global village. It is no longer cut off from the rest of the world. Arab television stations have increased their band width. Many viewers tune in to Arabic stations every day. Egypt is no longer the social pariah that it once was. The Egyptian government is slowly giving in to the western principles of democracy. Some of Egypt’s religious leaders have even adopted new forms of communication. Electronic forms of communication have contributed to the spread of Islam. Public opinion is no longer influenced by fear and intimidation. The moral teachings of Islam can now be disseminated through live video feeds, podcasts and radio broadcasts. However, some elements of democracy are still ineffective against Egypt’s political system. Hamada (2008) asserts that â€Å"state-owned channels are still defending the government news and views, preventing deviant and hostile attitudes and opinions from being heard.† Nevertheless, the country†™s development is still rapid and uninhibited. The Egyptian government can no longer silence the media. References Blumler, J. Gurevitch, M. (2001). The new media and our political communication discontents. Democratizing cyberspace, information, Communication Society, 4(1). Habib, A. M. (1997). The Impact of Television Satellite Networks and Channels. Development of News Services in the Saudi Television: An Analytical Field Study, 1, 173-78. Hamada, B. I. (2001). Islamic cultural theory, Arab media performance and public opinion. Public opinion and democracy, 4(2), 46-57. Hamada, B. I. (2008). Satellite Television and Public Sphere in Egypt: Is there a Link? Global media journal, 7. Web. Labib, S. (1997). Preliminary Thoughts on the Establishment of the Al-Ahram International Channel. Global Media Journal, 7(12), 15-16. Shukri, A. M. (1996). The Telecommunications Technology: The Production of Programs for Radio and Television. Journal of Computer Mediated Communication, 10, 22 -23.

A Kuwaiti Investor's Market Analysis of New York Assignment

A Kuwaiti Investor's Market Analysis of New York - Assignment Example Cultural analysis of the State of New York: New York is arguably one of the most important and famous cities in the world and has been an important center of trade for numerous years. Geographically, it lies in the north eastern region of the USA, bordered nationally by the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Long Island and Rhode Island. It also shares an international border with Canada in the north (Sutcliffe 67). New York’s climate is described as humid continental with diverse weather patterns across the state and at different times of the year. It has humid summers and long cold winters. Two aspects describe the topography of New York; Appalachian highlands and low lying areas where the most important cities are. New York City is situated on the coastal lowland (Silverman et al. 2). The social description of New York can begin with the family setting where it is observed that nuclear families abound in the urban and suburban areas whi le extended families reside in the rural areas. A single description for the dynamics of the family in New York is impossible given the diversity present though generally parents share the responsibility of raising children and ensuring the wellbeing of the family. In most cases especially in the cities, both parents are employed or seek jobs to take care of their family. In terms of education, New York has one of the lowest teacher-student ratios in the USA besides also being the biggest spender per student at the elementary and secondary levels (Scott, 2010). New York bears the largest public university system in the USA in State University of New York (SUNY), a series of top ranked universities covering 64 campuses, over a million students and annual enrolments of half a million students. The education system is thus well established. The political system of New York integrates into part of the federal US government and a state government (Ward 2). The state government has an exe cutive, a bicameral legislature and a judiciary (95). The urban areas are major Democrat strongholds while the non-urban areas are more inclined to Republican politics (Schneier, Murtaugh and Pole 60). The state government deals with internal affairs including state laws and bylaws, regulation of trade and law enforcement among other issues. The legal system of the state is based upon common English law (Ward 161; Manz, Gibson and Spencer 7). The Federal Trade Commission handles most patenting and marketing issues. The diet and nutrition of New Yorkers also varies according to whether one is in the urban or farmland regions. The trends in the city revolve around eating out and fast food chains are quite popular. The typical meals in this state are mainly fast foods; pizzas, French fries and burgers among similar foods. There however are other foods available from the farmlands including vegetables such as lettuce and whole meals but all constraints in the supply chain mean that most urban New Yorkers can only access fast foods easily. Economic Analysis: According to the 2010 census figures, New York has a population of 19.3 million and is ranked the third most populous state in the USA. Distribution of

Choose a pathogen Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Choose a pathogen - Assignment Example The disease burden caused by rotavirus is so huge that intervention needs to be taken. Each year rotavirus causes 114 million episodes of gastroenteritis patients, necessitating primary health care and hospitalization. Studies done recently indicative that 41 % of diarrhea in children is mostly caused by rotavirus. If it is controlled, then a bigger portion of hospitalization cases on diarrhea will be reduced drastically, and subsequent deaths cabbed. To this effect, studies have been done on how the virus can be put into control in causing all this epidemiological diseases. The vaccines that were introduced have played an integral role in handling the havoc and the capability of this virus to human population diseases. Rotavirus vaccine has been one of the major breakthroughs in the field of medicine especially pediatric medicine (Bhojwani, 2009). The microscopy of rotavirus is usually done under electron microscope staining procedure. The integrity and the result largely depend on the type, pH and the time of the stain. The three aspects must be put into perspective for the positive finding during observation. Prior to microscopy, the virus must first be isolated, cultured and stained before it can be viewed on the electron microscope. The cultivation of the virus sound technical but also interesting in doing it. The isolation of the virus is done on the stool taken from the human being who is suffering or suspected to have the virus. For example, avian rotavirus strain, CH2, is cultivated in embryonated eggs. It can be done on the yolk sac, amniotic, allantois in combination with membrane of inoculation. After cultivation, the virus will multiply in huge numbers given the multiplying capability. It is from this inoculated culture of the chicken rotavirus virus that a sample undergoes examination via the electron microscope (Parashar et al., 2009). The virus appears as a wheel where the spikes seen are the virulence factors that the virus uses to

Career Choices in Alternative Medicine Research Paper

Career Choices in Alternative Medicine - Research Paper Example Like every other career-line, alternative medicine is defined by the typical duties it entails. There is also the education that qualifies one for a career in alternative medicine. This will determine how salaries vary. As time passes by, the outlook of every job changes as the market dynamics, and needs get redefined. Some have a better outlook than others and this is dependent upon the functionality of the career in the ever-changing world. The intention of this paper is to explain the career opportunities that are available in alternative medicine. Definition Alternative medicine involves the prevention and treatment of illnesses through methods other than the traditional western ways (Malhotra). A medic dealing in alternative medicine is different from those in mainstream medicine in one way; in alternative medicine, the person is addressed as a whole, while in western medical practices, only the symptoms are treated. Depending on what the field specializes in, the practitioners of a particular field may need different types of education. Alternative medicine consists of medical practices that originate mostly from the East. It is a system of medicine that involves treating of the cause of illness rather than the symptoms that reveal themselves, by use of natural, non-toxic methods. It is traditional medicine from India, China, Japan, and other countries mainly from Asia. It is deemed to be over 5000 years old with practices proven effective over generations. They are significantly older than modern medicine which is 150 years old (Natural Health Careers – Complementary & Alternative Medicine). Until recently, though, alternative medicine was viewed as obscure and encompassed in mysticism. Their importance has, however, had to be recognized as the means involved in alternative medicine have been able to cure chronic illnesses. The ways that are widely used in alternative medicine are naturopathy, homeopathy, and Ayurveda. In addition to these methods , there are also those methods whose use is increasing in the medical field. They include yoga, reiki, and chiropracty. Then there are those methods which are rarely used, and these are methods such as Tibetan medicine, Unani, and Siddha. It is imperative that these practices be used alongside conventional western medicine. This being the case, alternative medicine can now be referred to as integrative or complementary medicine (Seitzer). RESULTS â€Å"Suitability† Profile Most of these practices involved in alternative medicine have their origin in the Eastern communities. Knowledge of any of the languages of the Eastern countries is important. Knowledge of the traditional practices and beliefs of Eastern Ancient civilizations is also helpful since it forms the basis if the different practice methods. To increase the suitability of a person in pursuing a career in alternative medicine, a person needs to have the appreciation of methods of treating ailments, other than conven tional Western medicine. Duties and responsibilities Ayurveda in not so strict terms translate to â€Å"the science of life.† Practiced in India for 5000 years, this method insists that to prevent and treat diseases, body, mind, and spirit all need to be used. It includes diets and the user of herbal remedies. Naturopathy involves numerous practices such as massage therapy, use of herbal medicine, acupuncture, exercise, dietary modifications, and minor surgery (Malhotra).  Ã‚  

Does learning and employee development contribute to organisational Essay

Does learning and employee development contribute to organisational success and performance - a study within social care services - Essay Example 6). Because of the complexity of social care services, each of the social care workers should continuously improve their knowledge, skills and positive attitude when managing the cases of each client. The purpose of gathering a literature review is to determine the importance and impact of learning and employee development in organizational and individual performance and success. Aside from discussing the most appropriate learning approaches that are applicable to voluntary sector social care environment, the driving forces, barriers to learning, and challenges associated with establishing a successful learning culture will be tackled in details. To determine the impact of regulation and registration of voluntary social care workforce by the Scottish Social Services Council on learning and employee development in social care environment, a literature review will be conducted to examine how the regulation and registration of voluntary social care workforce by the Scottish Social Services Council could benefit the learning and employee development. Based on the gathered literature review, recommended solutions on how to encourage social care workers to take advantage of promoting organizational culture that is open to continuous learning and employee development programmes including ways on how the organization can effectively remove barriers to learning will be provided in details. The main purpose of this research study is to determine whether or not learning and employee development has a significant contribution to the success and performance of voluntary sector social care organization. As a student enrolled in the course of MSc Human Resource Management and Development, the rationale for selecting this research topic is to enhance my understanding about the impact learning and employee development has on organizational success and performance. In this study, possible link between learning and effective development of staff of voluntary social

Platos Allegory of the Cave Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Platos Allegory of the Cave - Term Paper Example For, as one should probably know, the shadow is an allegory for a man’s self, ultimately, the id. The id is what separates the humans from the animals, and this philosophy delves into what is truly the nature of a man. It consists, one realizes, not of the man’s shadow but of himself as well as the representation of himself—which can be realized in the shadow. That itself is an allegory for what is really happening here—in essence, Plato is parsing that of which humanity really consists. If one, for example—were to be chained to a cave wall—does that diminish any less one’s humanity, one’s dignity, one’s sense of pride? Perhaps, but it cannot defeat the self, which is an inimitable, integral part of the human psyche—a cave, indeed, in which Plato explores more deeply the mysteries of the human mind. Just as some philosophers might attribute parts of a speech with rooms in a house, Plato is advancing upon new territ ory here—basically a type of psychoanalysis—which delves into what really makes humans tick. He has found out, and figured out, what is at the basis of all human interest and toil. It’s a need for knowledge. The cave allegory is significant because Plato thought that the cave represented work in education. Plato felt that the cave was symbolic of something greater in a man’s life. The cave could be an allegory for the fact that man spends all of his life—in essence—figuratively chained inside a cave. One struggles and slaves away, toiling at work, in search of an education, in search of a future. Meanwhile, the real battle is trying to find oneself in the midst of living life. Seeing shadows on the wall are an allegory for noticing one’s form in sensory ways—although it does not reflect the true nature or character of the person which it represents. Indeed, the shadows are a leitmotif for something more spiritual—it coul d be said. One has probably heard the phrase, â€Å"He’s only a shadow of himself, only a shadow of what he used to be.† A shadow intimates the presence of a skeleton which does not represent the true heart or soul of a person, but only the person’s physicality—the earthiness of his or her being. Indeed, these shadows represent a filament in the light bulb of human existence, which is ignited with personality. It is in this revelatory moment that one realizes the importance and power of the human spirit—and it is in this moment that one learns how everything important about being human can be understood from the allegory of the cave. It is not just our sensory awareness that is important to have in life, but knowledge of this sensory awareness at its height is the most evolved consciousness that a human can hope or expect to have. It is this consciousness that one seeks to cultivate through education, and this is reinforced by the allegory of the c ave. The cave allegory does for philosophy what Freud’s theory did for psychology. It revolutionized everything. Plato’s cave allegory is ultimately the ability to ascribe forms to shadows, making indiscrete objects into discrete realities. Thomas Hobbes was ridiculed for taking abstract notions and then defining those in concrete terms. But if we had never had such abstractions defined, we would—in Western political philosophy—not have had notions such as justice, good, evil, right, wrong, and moral philosophy, for example. Plato’s allegory of the cave is simply another way in which he attempted to define a human element. Plato’s allegory of the cave recognizes the importance

Does learning and employee development contribute to organisational Essay

Does learning and employee development contribute to organisational success and performance - a study within social care services - Essay Example 6). Because of the complexity of social care services, each of the social care workers should continuously improve their knowledge, skills and positive attitude when managing the cases of each client. The purpose of gathering a literature review is to determine the importance and impact of learning and employee development in organizational and individual performance and success. Aside from discussing the most appropriate learning approaches that are applicable to voluntary sector social care environment, the driving forces, barriers to learning, and challenges associated with establishing a successful learning culture will be tackled in details. To determine the impact of regulation and registration of voluntary social care workforce by the Scottish Social Services Council on learning and employee development in social care environment, a literature review will be conducted to examine how the regulation and registration of voluntary social care workforce by the Scottish Social Services Council could benefit the learning and employee development. Based on the gathered literature review, recommended solutions on how to encourage social care workers to take advantage of promoting organizational culture that is open to continuous learning and employee development programmes including ways on how the organization can effectively remove barriers to learning will be provided in details. The main purpose of this research study is to determine whether or not learning and employee development has a significant contribution to the success and performance of voluntary sector social care organization. As a student enrolled in the course of MSc Human Resource Management and Development, the rationale for selecting this research topic is to enhance my understanding about the impact learning and employee development has on organizational success and performance. In this study, possible link between learning and effective development of staff of voluntary social