Knowledge of ADR regulations, policies, theories

As a NTEU Union Representative, a significant amount of training time was spent learning and developing core skills in the ADR process. In addition to theoretical and classroom learning, a great deal of emphasis was placed on the practical application of such skills as these skills were utilized in the facilitation of the formal and informal grievance process applied through the traditional union/employee and labor management relationship process of dispute resolution. A great deal of skill regarding the ability to understand and implement ADR policies center on an understanding of personnel policies and cultures, an aspect Union Reps are well versed. Furthermore, I have developed a highly specialized working knowledge of ADR policies through my exposure to management and organizational practices on a daily basis. Knowledge of EEO and personnel laws, regulations, policies, and methods as they relate to the Federal sector. In my current position as a federal employee, I have received a significant amount of training in areas related to the understanding and facilitation of EEO processes and procedures. Furthermore, as a Union Representative, I was awarded the opportunity to serve as a representative for bargaining unit employees who were directly involved in the EEO complaint/grievance process. Specifically, training received in the avenue of EEO policies included items related to specific state and federal laws as well as policies directly related to the application of EEO laws in the federal sector of employment. From both training and practical experience, I have developed a solid familiarity with the need to stay current in terms of having a working knowledge of applicable EEO laws and regulations. A great deal of the EEO concepts that I have been exposed to include the conceptsrelated to the proper planning, development and implementation Equal Opportunity  related goals and objectives. In doing this, standards and ethics in the work place were  provided with recommendations regards to modifying administration policies in order to  create a more cohesive work environment for all individuals.  Skill and experience in a wide range of conflict management and dispute resolution  processes, such as facilitation and mediation. From the significant experience I have developed as both a bargaining unit employee and as a union representative, I have developed skills and experience in the three prime areas of conflict management: examination, response and negotiation. Examination refers to being exposed to conflict management/dispute resolution procedures; response refers to the multitude of different approaches that can be undertaken in order to facilitate ADR conflicts such as mediation; and can also include adjudicative aspects such as litigation as well; and negotiation refers to the fundamental talent required for all successful ADR ventures as the art and science of strategizing the successful negotiation of a resolution is the true epicenter of success in the ADR process. Skill and experience in ADR training, marketing, and evaluation of ADR programs. From my tenure in federal service, I have developed solid, fundamental working knowledge in the method and means in which federal and private agencies develop and implement dispute resolution procedures in the workplace. Much of this working knowledge derives from day to day practical, experience in conjunction with theoretical study of ADR concepts and ideologies. A high-level of written and oral communication skills in order to present complex and interrelated concepts and information and to secure the participation of others in the ADR process. My knowledge of business communications and ADR related oral and written communication is on a highly professional level. As such, my ability to present clear and concise information is impeccable and this statement is backed up by many years of on the job related experience that included a great deal of communication with colleagues and supervisors. Experience in these areas of communication were developed through a variety of professional duties including the creation and development of written (corrective) action plans as well as all duties related to the   monitoring of the grantees’ implementation of such plans. Also, providing reports and â€Å"ad hoc† guidance to contractors associated with the federal agency remained a significant daily duty and aided in the development of communicative skills. Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing workload and other assignments. Without having developed strong organization skills, the ability to perform the duties and functions of my federal service position would be impossible. As such, I have developed skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing workload as evidenced by the highly specialized duties I performed when serving on a team that’s primary function involved preparing the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance packages. Additional areas of experience that demonstrate a commitment to organizational skills include duties involving sharing programmatic information regarding state-supported systems of care for person with substance use disorders; as well as my tenure as a Public Health Advisor Trainee, where my responsibilities included providing assistance to initiate and monitor the status and execution of how State technical assistance request are carried out as well as the requisite interfacing with other members of staff in order to properly facilitate such assistance.                                                                                                                                       

Ratan Tata

Strategist: Sir Ratan Tata When Ratan Tata became Group Chairman in 1991 he ushered an era of change. According to him â€Å"A company or business that remains static will die. A company that constantly changes and accepts that there are better ways to do things than they are done today is a company that will survive in the global market that we face. † He is admired not only for managing the Tata Empire but creating history by making Tata group an MNC by acquiring steel companies like Chorus and legendary automotive brands of Land Rover & Jaguar. It was his vision to come up with Tata Nano, affordable car for common man in India, and with Tata ACE in the commercial segment to cater the ever going needs of cargo transport. All this has revolutionized not only the Indian industry but also created niche in global space. He is recipient of Padma Bhusan, Padma Vibhusan , NASSCOM Leadership, Carneige Mellon medal of philanthropy, ranked among World’s most powerful businessmen, and conferred honorary citizenship of Singapore etc. His personality has distinguishable features–Very dignified, Ethical, Dependable, Believes in keeping promises, questioning the unquestionable, Risk taker not a speculator, Great Motivator, Loyal and believes in making relationships He is an exemplary leader who is a Visionary, Strategist, Initiator/ change champion, Risk taker, Expertise and a man of integrity. His leadership is admired by the corporate of almost every generation. In his Leadership Managerial roles, he exhibits role of– Figurehead Entrepreneur Resource allocator role Disturbance Handler Besides, he is a philanthropist and has taken many initiatives for society and people.

Questions

What should you do next? What are some of the options at your disposal to ensure that you do not alienate your colleagues? As the budget is limited and the number of projects in question is multiple, only the best projects which promise the maximum growth for the company can be selected. As the CIO of the firm, my Job is to keep the functional manager's happy and motivated at all times. At the same time I cannot create a void between the sponsors and myself. This type of situation creates a dilemma and needs to be dealt tactfully.As a next step I would: ) Conduct meetings with my functional managers and explain the situation such that there is no communication gap created b) Create a plan with them to help effectively sell their project to the sponsors c) Explain to them what made the other projects get selected over their projects. d) Help him identify what his project proposal lacked. 2) Are there any structural problems with the budgeting process at Performance Boards, Inc.? What improvements would you suggest for next year†if any? The performance board is tied down for budget and they need to allocate budgets to different projects.However, at a particular time, not all projects can be fulfilled. Thus only the projects best suited towards the organizations growth can be undertaken in the limited budget. However, the organization should undertake projects which will help sales. Since it is a manufacturing firm, â€Å"sales† is an important part of their business line. An increase in sales will lead help the organizations growth and increase in revenue. Performance Boards Inc. should prioritize their pillars when it comes to IT development. Since the industry is digitizing, IT priority in all departments should be created.As a strategy for next year, I would a) Create a plan where the parked projects could be prioritized. b) The project plans that are parked should simultaneously be worked upon to ensure that the plan is update as per industry. c) The departments which are the pillars of the organization and generate revenue should be put on the highest priority d) The departments which help in ensuring that the organization is still a good place to work should be placed next. e) The CIO must appoint other managers to help the departments develop a good project proposal which becomes difficult for the sponsors to ignore. The CIO should emphasize to the sponsors as to how long a particular project has been kept waiting and help the departmental projects get sanctioned. This will help him maintain relations with both the departmental managers and the sponsors. 1) Chargeback Chargeback is the mechanism by which a company charges for the amount of service that is provided by them. This model for revenue generation is used extensively in the cloud and Amazon runs it Web Services based on it. They charge a customer for the amount of resources that they consume on a monthly basis.For instance, a ustomer can start a virtual machine with amazon with a particular configuration at any time. The customer has the option to upgrade his subscription to a new one by paying the difference between the price initially paid and the actual price. By this, he gets an upgraded system. This is a classic example of a chargeback revenue model. 2) Allocation Allocation is a mechanism that many companies use to charge project teams for the services purchased by them. For instance, a company like Accenture which is a service based company has various projects running within.The company provides each team with a lot of infrastructure which is required for carrying out their tasks effectively. An example of this can be the helpdesk system which they have to provide assistance to the employees. The company charges the project team, a fixed price based on the number of employees on the project. Further, the project has to bear this cost irrespective whether it is used by the employees or not. Further, the number of times the helpdesk system can be used is not fixed. The employees are free to use it as many times as they need. 3) OverheadThe distribution of costs incurred by the company to install information systems which are distributed equally to all departments are known as an overhead cost. Crouse hospital in Syracuse went ahead to build an information system to maintain EMR. They had to bear the entire cost of this system which was internally borne by the various departments within the hospital. Whether it be the Cardiology department or the Respiratory department, each department had to bear the same cost to get the EMR installed. This cost that was borne by the department was an overhead cost which was used to fund an information system. Questions What should you do next? What are some of the options at your disposal to ensure that you do not alienate your colleagues? As the budget is limited and the number of projects in question is multiple, only the best projects which promise the maximum growth for the company can be selected. As the CIO of the firm, my Job is to keep the functional manager's happy and motivated at all times. At the same time I cannot create a void between the sponsors and myself. This type of situation creates a dilemma and needs to be dealt tactfully.As a next step I would: ) Conduct meetings with my functional managers and explain the situation such that there is no communication gap created b) Create a plan with them to help effectively sell their project to the sponsors c) Explain to them what made the other projects get selected over their projects. d) Help him identify what his project proposal lacked. 2) Are there any structural problems with the budgeting process at Performance Boards, Inc.? What improvements would you suggest for next year†if any? The performance board is tied down for budget and they need to allocate budgets to different projects.However, at a particular time, not all projects can be fulfilled. Thus only the projects best suited towards the organizations growth can be undertaken in the limited budget. However, the organization should undertake projects which will help sales. Since it is a manufacturing firm, â€Å"sales† is an important part of their business line. An increase in sales will lead help the organizations growth and increase in revenue. Performance Boards Inc. should prioritize their pillars when it comes to IT development. Since the industry is digitizing, IT priority in all departments should be created.As a strategy for next year, I would a) Create a plan where the parked projects could be prioritized. b) The project plans that are parked should simultaneously be worked upon to ensure that the plan is update as per industry. c) The departments which are the pillars of the organization and generate revenue should be put on the highest priority d) The departments which help in ensuring that the organization is still a good place to work should be placed next. e) The CIO must appoint other managers to help the departments develop a good project proposal which becomes difficult for the sponsors to ignore. The CIO should emphasize to the sponsors as to how long a particular project has been kept waiting and help the departmental projects get sanctioned. This will help him maintain relations with both the departmental managers and the sponsors. 1) Chargeback Chargeback is the mechanism by which a company charges for the amount of service that is provided by them. This model for revenue generation is used extensively in the cloud and Amazon runs it Web Services based on it. They charge a customer for the amount of resources that they consume on a monthly basis.For instance, a ustomer can start a virtual machine with amazon with a particular configuration at any time. The customer has the option to upgrade his subscription to a new one by paying the difference between the price initially paid and the actual price. By this, he gets an upgraded system. This is a classic example of a chargeback revenue model. 2) Allocation Allocation is a mechanism that many companies use to charge project teams for the services purchased by them. For instance, a company like Accenture which is a service based company has various projects running within.The company provides each team with a lot of infrastructure which is required for carrying out their tasks effectively. An example of this can be the helpdesk system which they have to provide assistance to the employees. The company charges the project team, a fixed price based on the number of employees on the project. Further, the project has to bear this cost irrespective whether it is used by the employees or not. Further, the number of times the helpdesk system can be used is not fixed. The employees are free to use it as many times as they need. 3) OverheadThe distribution of costs incurred by the company to install information systems which are distributed equally to all departments are known as an overhead cost. Crouse hospital in Syracuse went ahead to build an information system to maintain EMR. They had to bear the entire cost of this system which was internally borne by the various departments within the hospital. Whether it be the Cardiology department or the Respiratory department, each department had to bear the same cost to get the EMR installed. This cost that was borne by the department was an overhead cost which was used to fund an information system.

Managing in the service environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Managing in the service environment - Essay Example Nowadays exporting of services is an expanding business. India is currently recognized as the largest services exporter in the world. Services sector comprises 70% proportion of the total output in the world but only 20percentage proportion of the same is incorporated in world’s international trade. Thus exporting of services is an under developed industry. India’s experience reveals that development of economies is not necessarily lead by the industrialization. Services sector driven economic development is also possible. India moved from being an agriculture based economy to services based economy without involving industrialization (The Nation). Therefore identifying the issues relating the companies in the services sector has become rather important to the development of countries. It has been revealed that the service quality in British banks is substantially low. Customers are increasingly dissatisfied by the banking experiences in England (Johnston, 1997). Such i ssues and increasingly identifying economic significance has called for challenging research studies relating the service quality. 1. Introduction of Customer Service Customer service plays an important role in building the brand loyalty. â€Å"Loyal and an involved customer† is an asset to a company. Developing such a customer base is recognized as the aim of â€Å"customer service† by most of the modern day businesses. ... Part of the contemporary businesses’ everyday mission is to cultivate consumer relationships by strengthening emotional connection with the customer. Listening to customers through rigorous consumer research and strong consumer orientation by keeping the products relevant and appealing are important elements in customer service. 2. Introduction of Service Quality Service quality is defined as "the extent of discrepancy between customers' expectations or desires and their perception of what is delivered" (Zeithaml et. al., 1990). According to the SERVQUAL approach the spheres of service quality can be described in terms of (1) Tangibles: â€Å"Appearance of physical facilities, equipment, personnel and communication materials"(2) Reliability: "Ability of the organization to perform the promised service dependably and accurately. (3) Responsiveness: "Willingness of organization’s staff to help customers and provide them with prompt service"(4) Assurance: "Knowledge, comp etence and courtesy of employees and their ability to convey trust and confidence in the customer towards the service firm" and (5) Empathy: "Caring, individualized attention the firm provided its customers" (Manjunatha and Shivalingaiah, 2004). Thus it can be seen that customers’ expectations from a services based company includes attributes of physical environment as well as the human resources. Physical capital of the company has to be appealing and convenient to the consumer. Contemporary businesses use this concept as a marketing strategy and invest substantial amounts of resources to build the physical environment of their companies. Example: modern stores are carefully designed to reflect the image of the company brand. The showcases and environment of these stores are specifically

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

Equality and Diversity Management - Essay Example For example, companies which have long remained a part of the old boys club may find it difficult to change overnight to become culturally accepting of not too many boys and having younger employees work in higher positions within the company. Even large multinationals operating in the UK such as DuPont and GE have had cultural problems while creating equality and diversity which goes to so that getting there is not an easy task.In terms of recent developments, diversity and equality are being seen as of the factors that could give a competitive advantage to a company and make it perform better than its rivals. A high level of diversity and equality can help to motivate employees and make them more productive. This idea has been developed to the extent that some organisations are taking diversity levels and the creation of equality as a one of their strategic objectives (CIPD, 2006). In such situations, the HR managers and the policy makers of the organisation are made responsible fo r creating a work environment where diversity is supported and equality is established.Fredmen (2001) says that in this regard, fourth generation equality legislation becomes very important because it improves the participation of affected groups in the decision making process. â€Å"Fourth generation equality laws based on a positive duty to promote equality rather than simply to refrain from discrimination are being actively developed in several jurisdictions. Mainstreaming means that equality is not just an add-on or after-thought to policy.

Economic Development Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Economic Development - Research Paper Example Notably, it has also been demonstrated in certain other areas relating to business activities such as trade, manufacturing and other business operations. In this context, industrializations, economic policies and export activities among others are considered to be the most important factors for the all-round development of a country. Human capital is also considered to be an important aspect which assists in the development of economies by a considerable level (Khan, Zhang, Hashmi and Bashir, â€Å"Cultural Values and Economic Growth in Asia: An Empirical Analysis†). Economic development in the Asian countries can be recognized by taking into concern certain valuable aspects like trade activities and better investment opportunities among others. In the worldwide context, Asia has been viewed to be the fast growing or developing economy and is recognized to be one of the leading financial centers throughout the globe. The financial advancement of Asia can be noted in the develo pment of its various nations like Japan, China, South Korea, India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. The economic conditions of these Asian countries have been viewed to be developing in a continuous manner (Ishido, â€Å"East Asia’s Economic Development cum Trade â€Å"Divergence†Ã¢â‚¬ ). It has been apparently observed that there laid certain imperative factors which are held responsible for the economic development of the aforementioned Asian countries in the 21st century. In this regard, the factors comprise adoption as well as implementation of pioneering technological advancements, globalization of world economy, diverse trade activities and enhanced policies linked with financial development. Moreover, another important factor that contributes in developing the financial position of the different Asian countries is the role played by the government in the respective nations. The governments belonging to different nations of Asia int roduced as well as implemented various favorable economic and political policies that eventually resulted in raising the standards of the financial position of the Asian countries by a greater extent. Besides, the policies that formed as well as executed by the government belonging to different nations of Asia have improved business as well as human welfare activities resulting in better economic development. Apart from the aforementioned factors, the financial development of

Cauda Equina Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cauda Equina - Assignment Example Apparently, the Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological disorder which affects the Cauda equina located in the spinal cord of the human body. Evidently, this condition causes acute function loss of the lumbar plexus, in other words, the nervous root of the spinal cord. Notably, the disease has some distinct symptoms for instance back pains, saddle anesthesia among others. Evidently, other etiologies of the caunda equina syndrome are spinal fractures and any compression in the affected nerve root in the spinal cord. However, fractures in the thoracolumbar spine do not necessarily attribute to caunda equina syndrome. In summation, most injuries in the neural spine usually postulate caunda equina condition therefore, any instance of back pain should be examined before it turns into fatal caunda equina syndrome. Notably, we are told that patient was unable to straighten this signifies thatthe Cauda equina infection had spread vastly the vertebral region thus causing the stiffness. Evidently, numbness over the left anterior region served as a vital signature that the Cauda equina syndrome was present in the patient. However, this are some of the significant symptoms that are key markers of the infestation of the disease. Therefore, if the above symptoms were diagnosed much earlier, the condition would have been managed by the uses of medication to prevent further spread. On the same note, the only remedy for the advanced form of this ailment is through surgery. In conclusion, this condition is curable if detecting early enough. However, if detected at an advanced stage it may be fatal since the individual may suffer from spine fractures hence fatal. To this end, it is necessary to go for regular checkup if the symptoms are viewed in an individual in a bid to curb instance of progression of the condition in the

Teratech Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Teratech - Case Study Example The first provider to tap these advance resources would gain a bigger share in the market, lead the CRM service industry and have the first market entrant advantage. In the first quarter of 2005, Teratech aimed to go beyond the basic CRM functions and venture into modeling and analytics. The growth opportunities in predictive modeling and analytical CRM software is very big for the five-year-old company. Grabbing this opportunity would give a strategic advantage to Teratech, since the company is considered as a CRM expert for the pharmaceutical industry. According to Teratech's CEO, Jack Dwyer, developing a new analytical CRM product would assure the stakeholders continued sales and revenue growths as well as market leadership in the industry, while compensating the declining sales in the last quarter of the previous year. The new product is one of his corporate strategies for continued success of the organization. He is looking forward to an exceptional business performance of the company for three years. Jack Dwyer is a self-made man, who worked his way up to become a respected CIO in his previous job before he founded Teratech. He is a successful man with a 20-year experience in a leading technology service firm and a bold vision for Teratech's future. His vision for Teratech is to become the preferred solutions provider for pharmaceutical companies and the forerunner in the industry. This is the ideal end-state goal of Teratech. With the development of a new analytical software, Teratech's customers can identify trends, understand customer behavior, explore simulated scenarios and predict outcomes. This software would complete the company's CRM package of product functionality and analytical capability. The package is very marketable and salable to loyal customers as well as new recruits, as shown by the optimism of the sales team members. This would enhance the company's competitiveness in the market. The existing products and the development of a new analytical application software would answer to the vision of the CEO and help the company achieve its goal. However, development of a new product does not end on the salespeople. New product development is a company wide operation. It also involves other teams such as marketing, finance, human resource, and technology development teams. The marketing team is optimistic that the new product would answer the customer's concerns on the current product and return on their investment. The relatively new concept of CRM in pharmaceuticals and pharmacy-related industries is still at its infancy stage and the customers are still uncertain on its applicability. The development of the new product would assure the customers of its added benefit. The pharmaceutical companies would be able to maximize the value of their customer and market data as well as enhance their marketing strategy for optimum effectiveness. In the ultra-competitive environment of the pharmaceutical industry, the new product can address both the effectiveness and efficiency of their marketing campaigns. The success of the new product in the market would boost Teratech's expertise and market image, such that, the marketing team are challenged to cater new industries and access new technologies. Finding new markets or even creating a new one would be a blue ocean strategy for the team. Furthermore, Christine

Video game review- BE CAREFUL IS NOT A MOVIE REVIEW BUT A VIDEO GAME

Video game - BE CAREFUL IS NOT A BUT A VIDEO GAME - Movie Review Example The game is interactive in that the player assumes the role of God and seeks to prevent the humans’ quest of constructing the tower. This is done through punishing as many workers achievable using electric bolts, using wind to blow them away, killing them with fire and drowning the workers in floods. The game creators clearly tried to incorporate elements evident in the original story. The control options in the game are varied, but the gamer is encouraged to employ the kinect hardware (Venter, 2012). This is, however, cumbersome that the use of hand controls since the player is engrossed in determining how to move their body when issuing commands. This is because motion controls are employed as opposed to standard controllers. It is, therefore, more practical to use the standard controllers. The games strong points are in its unique story line and its impressive graphics depicting the workers are expertly animated. The action and the employment of strategy by the player also gives the game an edge. It, however, has its low points with the music being monotonous since it is repetitive. The multiplayer option also fails to impress since the game becomes cumbersome to see. The game overall is engaging, but becomes tiresome as one plays it for a

Children and Happiness Essay Example for Free

Children and Happiness Essay What makes children happy? ‘That’s easy, you might say, ‘a new toy, an ice cream or a trip to the amusement park.’ While these things bring an immediate smile to many children’s faces, they are probably not the things that will keep them happy day by day, or turn them into happy adults. The basic ingredients that make children happy during childhood seem to be the same ones that help them to become happy adults: a secure relationship with parents gives the base to confidently explore the world and develop a sense of mastery and recognition, all important components in the recipe for happiness. However, in the short term, the new toy might provide a smile too! Man has to pass through many stages of life, since he is born until he dies. He passes through infancy, childhood, boyhood, youth, middle age and old age. Childhood continues from the 6th to the 12th year of age. Boyhood continues from the 12th to the 19th year of age. Youth lasts from the 20th to 35th year of age. Middle age lasts from the 36th to the 55th year of age. Old age continues from 56th year until death. Of all the stages of life childhood is the most important. Because it is the formative period of life. It is also the first conscious stage of life. Important of childhood: Childhood is the formative period of life. Human character takes its shape in childhood. Man gets deep and lasting impressions in his childhood. Because at this stage mens mind is soft, receptive and plastic. It is just like the potters clay. So human character should be properly shaped in childhood. What should be done in childhood: Childhood is one of the growing stage in mans life. The human beings grow up to 24th year of age. So, the health of the child should be properly looked after. He should be given balance diet. He should be encouraged to from healthy habits like early rising. He should be taught to be neat and clean, to do exercise regularly, to eat, sleep, read and play at habits. He should be kept happy and cheerful. All these will help him to grow healthy in body and mind. Proper and appropriate food should be provided to the childs mind. He should be given the most carefully chosen books to read. he should be given childrens magazines. He should be given interesting and instructive pictures. At this stage, records should be kept of the childs inclination, aptitude, knack, mood, temperament, interest, abilities and his latent qualities. On the basis of these records, the future of the child should be planned. The child should be trained on the basis of this plan. Care of parents and teachers: In the modern system of society and education in India, nobody takes the responsibility of the childs welfare. The parents think that it is a responsibility of the teachers, because the child stays in the school for six hours a day. The teachers think that it is the responsibility of the parents, because the children belong to their parents, and in future the children will come to any use only to their parents and families. But in the interest of society, nation, country and above all mankind all have responsibility for the welfare of the children. Conclusion: It is the foremost duty of the Government to see to the welfare of the children. But in India we find that a lot of children in schools are dying by food-poisoning in the Government Mid-day meal system. The school buildings are defectively constructed. So the buildings breakdown and many children die underneath. the milk-powder that comes to Panchayats and Block offices is said to be put to black-marketing. Government should look to all these affairs. Childhood is the most important period in a mens life. So, the Government should take utmost care of it.

The client server architecture

The client server architecture Abstract In this assignment we talk about the client server architecture and its model and about its advantage and compare them with each other. Also provide some solution and comments about Hures Company. Introduction:- We are now in modern age of technology. Like old time we do not need to do our daily things with pen and paper now. Modern technology gives us the power to saves the time and work become more easy without any hassle .Now multinational companies using computer for their all task. So its become more essential for everybody for their daily needs and work. Everybody now depending on computer so its really important to build up relation between computers to computers and then we also need a server means powerful computer with high requirement .Server serve Client means the user .If server cannot control the client request then its become more complicated for every single users for that regain system can be crash .and technology update time by time so the system needs to be updated. If any company crate a system that can serve 100 employee but they have like 300 employee its not possible to cover everyone needs also its become pain for everyone to work with that system. So we need better s ystem design means Better client server architecture. With the right level of attention to client/ server systems and application design. But poor design can ruin this utopian vision; making upgrades every bit as painful, time-consuming, and costly as installing a new mainframe. Colin White writes that the benefit of client/server computing is the availability of Hardware servers that scale from a small uni-processor machine to a massively parallel Machine containing hundreds, possibly thousands of processors. Corporations can now match the computing power of the server to the job at hand. If a server runs out of capacity, the old server can simply be replaced by a larger one. This change can be made without affecting existing client workstation users or the tools they employ. This provides not only scalability, but also flexibility in handling hardware growth as compared with central mainframes where an upgrade is a major undertaking that is both costly and time consuming. (Colin White, Supporting High-Performance DSS Applications, InfoDB 8(2) (1994), 27. ) Client-server architecture A web page (HTML page) that contains the same information for all users. Although it may be periodically updated from time to time, it does not change with each user retrieval. A program / script file executed on the web server in response to a user request. A CGI script is usually executed to process the data sent when a form filled in by a user is sent back to the web server. Server side scripting means that all of the code is executed on the server before the data is passed to the users browser. In the case of PHP this means that no PHP code ever reaches the user, it is instead executed and only the information it outputs is sent to the web browser PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor.PHP pages typically have .phtml,php or .php3 file name extensions. An open source technology. ASP: Active Server Pages .A Microsoft technology. Extension .asp. JSP: Java Server Pages .jsp pages contain Java code. SSI: Server Side Includes. Involves the embedding of small code snippets inside the HTML page. An SSI page typically has .shtml as its file extension. With this technology now its become really easy to create large website and maintain it easily. Introduction to 2-Tier Architecture Two-tier client/server architectures have 2 essential components A Client PC and A Database Server Tier Considerations: Client program accesses database directly. Requires to code change to port to a different database. Potential bottleneck for data requests .High volume of traffic due to data shipping. Client program executes application logic. Limited by processing capability of client workstation (memory, CPU) .Requires application code to be distributed to each client workstation. (Less than 50 users). Introduction to 3-Tier Architecture 3-Tier client-server architectures have 3 essential components: A Client PC An Application Server A Database Server 3-Tier Architecture Considerations: Client program contains presentation logic only Less resources needed for client workstation No client modification if database location changes Less code to distribute to client workstations One server handles many client requests More resources available for server program Reduces data traffic on the network Comparing both types of architecture Tier 2 architecture is therefore a client-server architecture where the server is versatile means it is capable of directly responding to all of the clients resource requests. In tier 3 architecture however, the server-level applications are remote from one another, i.e. each server is specialized with a certain task eg:- web server/database server. Tier 3 architecture provides: Flexibility. Increased security at each level. Increased performance. Benefits of the Client/Server Model Cost savings. Scalability. Manage workflow. Provide multi-tier service Instrumentality Disadvantages of the client/server model Client/Server architecture also has the following drawbacks: increased cost: due to the technical complexity of the server a weak link: the server is the only weak link in the client/server network, given that the entire network is built around it! Fortunately, the server is highly fault tolerant (primarily thanks to the RAID system) (http://en.kioskea.net/contents/cs/csintro.php3) Problem Faced by Hures Company and its solution:- According to the problems faced by Hures, its Primarily, its not that system they made for future use .it did not have that capability to the handle the future demands or needs of the company. the developer of the system did not focused on the future strength of the system or the adjustment of the system, different changes on both external and internal environment which change the over flow of information in the company. In order to come up with the current problem of Hures system, Client-Queue-Client can be applied as alternative architecture. This uses a passive queue which allows the client instances to communicate directly with each other, which will refine their request from the services. This is helpful for Hures because it can help to support and prevent any problems that are related with the server (Exforsys Inc n.d.).. Client queue is used in order to take track of the number of client connections. Therefore, the server can trace which resources the client has obtained, and the server can release the resources after the client connection breaks down (Chan Leong 2003). Intranet is a network that is built by using the same tools and protocols that are used by the global Internet but applied instead to the internal network of an organization. It can be describe like a closed-circuit television system, which can be viewed only by those people within the organization that owns the system (Lowe 2009). Intranet site is a web site that is viewable only to those within the network of an organization. Even though based on the same protocols as the World Wide Web, an intranet is protected from the outside world either by not being connected to the outside or through a series of hardware and software obstacles known as a firewalll (Matthews Matthews 2003, p. 64). The development of an intranet web site using secure log cons to access the information is not a new idea. Many corporate locations use a secure internal site for vital information to be used by employees of the corporation and management only. The design of such a site could be simple using HTML, Java and CSS and may provide a variety of links to various databases stored within the network server(s). Security features can be enhanced by requiring the changing of passwords on individual users every thirty (30) days. Obviously, one counter position of establishing an internal web site would be that of cost and implementation. Depending upon the OS of the server, it would be necessary to create the web site and establish users with passwords to access the site. This would take some time to develop and the amount of individuals accessing the site would have to be considered in the overall budget required for implementation. Threats to the security of any open network system will always exist. Proper network monitoring on a continuous level severely reduces the risk of infiltration from outside sources. Network security should be the most important aspect of any company/corporation within the network structure. Reducing allowable events such as user abilities to plug in devices to their individual workstations, remote monitoring using camera feeds in various places within the office. Again, the cost of this will be substantial however, to maintain the integrity of the network should be of the highest priority and can reduce the severity of lost revenue. Disadvantages in intranet that its really expensive to maintain and setup. Need high qualified people or team to maintain its resources. Peer-to-peer and client-server architecture have different advantages and pros. It enables to take advantage of the wireless and Internet technology, at the same time, take advantage of the privacy and security which can be offered by client/server system. Intranet and internet both are famous worldwide so i will develop daily basis and needs to upgrade time wise. References: Books:- Colin White, Supporting High-Performance DSS Applications, InfoDB 8(2) (1994), 27. Chan, A T S Leong, H V 2003, Cooperative Internet Computing, S:pringer. Lowe, D 2009, Networking for Dummies, For Dummies. Matthews, M, Matthews, C B Poulsen, E 2003, Microsoft Office FrontPage 2003: The Complete Reference, McGraw-Hill Professional. Website:- http://members.tripod.com/ChannuKambalyal/NTierArchitecture.pdf http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/basics/client_server_architecture.php3 Exforsy:-Peer-to-Peer and Client-Queue-Client Architecture, http://www.exforsys.com/tutorials/client-server/peer-to-peer-and-client-queue-client-architecture.html [Accessed 17 February 2010]

Childhood in Robert Frosts Birchess and William Blakes The Chimney Sw

Childhood in Robert Frost's Birchess and William Blake's The Chimney Sweeper Robert Frost's view of childhood is much different than that of William Blake, as expressed in their respective poems, "Birches" and "The Chimney Sweeper". Living in the late seventeenth century, Blake saw some hard times; and as such, paints a very non-romantic picture of childhood. Frost, however, sees things differently. The result is two glaringly different poems that goes to prove how very different people are. Blake's portrayal of childhood is far from happy. A small child's mother dies while that child is still very young; this is sad but not all together strange. However the child's father then, very soon after, sells him off to be a chimney sweeper. Blake does not stop here; after a description these children's living conditions few emotions are left except for pity. As Americans living in the twenty first century, this all seams very strange. We see childhood as a time of joy, and innocence; a time to embrace, and to not let slip by too fast. We see childhood as Robert Frost does. Childhood, a time of adventure; a time when the world is large and mysterious, and there is always more explore; a time when there is no wrong that could not be righted by a mother's kiss. This is the childhood described by Robert Frost. He describes this through a portrayal of the child's game of riding birches; a careful climb, a well timed jump, and an exhilarating swing. Then he describes the loss when one ages. How one by one this boy subdues the trees until there are none left to swing from. Frost then finishes off by showing his longing to return to those days. How is it that two poems, written on the same theme, could be so incredibly d... ...about an ideal childhood, or that of a friend; and Blake could have done likewise. However, because they both wrote about the childhood they experienced, this validates our other theories on time and location. The difference between these two views of childhood are like night and day. One is a pleasant time, and the other is not. One is a time to hang on to, the other is a time to get passed. One is a time of joy, the other is one of hardship. Looking back on how my life has played out so far, I am glad that I should have the privilege of Frost's childhood, and not that of Blake; but one is by no means the norm and the other not. The primary factor causing the difference between Blake's and Frost's childhood was location, location in time and space. And, though as unfortunate as it may be, when the world is viewed in 4D Frost's childhood is hardly normal.

Free Oedipus the King Essays: Missing Fathers :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

Oedipus the King - Missing Fathers    Though they appear briefly or not at all in Oedipus the King, Oedipus' father figures play very important roles in Oedipus' life. Laius, Polybus, and the shepherds may be considered Oedipus' father figures. Each of these characters could have kept Oedipus from facing his horrible fate by doing something a little bit differently.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Though mentioned several times throughout the play, but being absent from the stage, Laius, Oedipus' biological father, started things off on a bad note with his decision to leave it to another person to kill Oedipus. If Laius were to kill Oedipus himself, nothing would have happened. Another option for Laius would have been to imprison Oedipus and throw away the key, thereby keeping Oedipus alive and knowledgeable who his father is but harmless to do anything. Either way things wouldn't have been too enjoyable for Oedipus, but surely better than what eventually happened.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Appearing for a short and influential part in the play but mentioned little otherwise, the shepherd did not make things any better for Oedipus and his future. If the shepherd had done what he was commanded to do, kill Oedipus, everything would have turned out for the better for all parties involved. Instead of killing Oedipus, the shepherd felt sorry for him and gave him to a Corinthian shepherd from Corinth who, not knowing what the baby's fate was, gave him to King Polybus. This would later turn against Oedipus because of his ignorance of who his real parents are.      Ã‚  Ã‚   Briefly mentioned and never seen, the most influential of Oedipus' father figures, Polybus could be seen as guilty or innocent when it comes to his part in dealing with Oedipus' fate. On the guilty side, Polybus lied to Oedipus telling him that he was his real father, causing Oedipus to run away and eventually run into his fate. At this time Oedipus was old enough to deal with the truth. On the innocent side, you could say that Polybus was totally ignorant and had no idea of why Oedipus was asking him this question. Being childless also caused Polybus to lie to Oedipus thinking that if Oedipus found out that Polybus wasn't his real father that he might loose interest in his family and search for his biological family. On the other hand if Oedipus had told Polybus what had been predicted about himself, Polybus would have told him right away that he wasn't his father and that Laius was his true father.

Everyone Has an Obligation to Vote Essay -- Politics Political Essays

Why should I vote? This is a simple question with a long history of debate. My vote doesn't make a difference anyway. I'm too busy. They're all crooks, why should I vote for one of them? There isn't a good choice. Nothing will change. The problem with these reasons is that they actually perpetuate the circumstances keeping would-be-voters away from the polls. Many arguments exist for both sides of the issue, however, I believe more reasons to vote exist than lame excuses. My vote is too insignificant to make a difference anyway. No one's vote "makes no difference," though the difference may be small in comparison to the whole, it is there nonetheless. Through not voting, one is only guaranteeing that one's own opinion will make no difference. If the right isn't exercised, no reason exists for its presence. Countless complaints would arise the instant anyone tried to revoke one's right to vote, therefore, that right must actually be valued. Since that right is valued, then it must be thought to have the power to make a difference, and thus the excuse is invalid. At least put fourth the effort and try to make a difference, no matter how inconsequential every little bit helps. My schedule is too busy; I don't have time to vote. Voting can be done by absentee ballot if one is out of town on Election day. No need to go anywhere or stand in lines, just fill out the ballot and mail it in. Every citizen is eligible to vote by mail if they cannot get to the polls on election day. For some it is often just a matter of convenience. With the absentee ballot, none have an excuse not to vote. It's not hard work, actually it's rather easy, almost too easy. The real reason behind this excuse usually boils down to ... ...o do so. Nonvoters, on the other hand, don't readily see those same benefits, and resist when confronted with them by voters. In conclusion, I feel that everyone has an obligation to vote, a responsibility for the betterment of themselves, their children, their peers and their country. I believe that if more people were educated as to the benefits of voting, voter turnout would dramatically increase, and promote a greater general concern. Only through knowledge will we ever be able to make a difference in the minds of nonvoters to make the choice to act upon their duty to vote. Shortly before he died, James Madison, wrote in a letter to a friend, "A popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it is but a tragedy . . . a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."

Nurture Influence Early Human Development

Early human development is a very important process in implicating the chain of infant’s future. Therefore, there are two most important process; first one is â€Å"Nature† i. e. Heredity and second one is â€Å"Nurture† i. e. Environment. For saying, the 17th century British Highbrow John Locke, the knowledge comes to adults who arrived in the newly world through their senses. The newborn infant are have their brain as a â€Å"Blank Slate†, that can be changed and turn into any kind in future by Locke. That’s filling for their experience on the way he/she hear, taste, identify, and sense.So I believe that human development is inherited, but it can be made more concise that nurture plays most important role then nature. Therefore these essays outline the influences of nurture on early human development that means of training, family background, society and environmental factor. It can be argued that nature influence early human development. Accordin g to Charis Darwin, he emphasised that human development is inherited and genetically program. Many researchers agree, but; not only that ‘nature’ and ‘nurture’ playing important roles in human life.Than that they combine continuously to key development. Example: The developments of every character such as poignant stability appear to be manipulating to be like heredity and upbringing. In addition, some behaviourist such as Watson and Skinner are also believed that a newborn baby can be qualified into any professional type; it might be doctors, sport persons, and pilots etc. Regardless of his/her ability and talent. The motor development is based on a fill children metro born has goes through the same cycle at the different period in a life.The recent studies by (Dennis & Dennis and Gesell & Thompson) indicate that practice can be accelerating that appearance to their behaviour. For example: The newborn baby learn to walk which is called as stepping reflex; if we keep a baby’s feet on the floor he/she will walk by placing one foot in front of the other. This is not really walking but it’s a step of learning. Where he/she can walk early in their life, by practice for a few minute every day during the first ten week they short. So they learn early than other babies who had not practice.Therefore learning, training or experience plays an important role in the early human development. The other influences are the family and society where they live and brought up in their life. The children who are living in a family or society which has a good education system. Where child gets proper care and batter livelihood and seem to be learn & speak early. The newborn baby can as well differentiate between the similar. Such as the tones this is analogous meaning (Bridger 1961). He say that the noise that infant have the sense of hearing from there foreigner language beginning their family.For example: A baby after one or two months ca n notify the difference between parallel sounds such as ‘pa’ and ‘ba’. So one year child will picked up in enough information about verbal communication. That it will have also begun to â€Å"Screen out† sound it does not use (kuhl et al. , 1992). The latter is the environmental measures to be strong-minded in the untimely human expansion. The personal characteristics are determined by the genetic structure of the work. Take it as parent’s genes, so that the infant can grow that skin, eyes, hair and general body size could be also same.This genetic outcome is expressed in development through the process of physical or mental progression changes. For example: the developing infants develop within the mother’s body. During pregnancy, such as an infant turn around and kick which also follows depend on the growth. In other hand, the environment is serious or else abnormal in some other hand, than the processes can be disrupted. That’ s like, if the fetus causes a problem during the first eight months at the pregnancy. The infant may be born. Their eyes are blind, deft or brain –damaged. It’s depending on the stage of development at the time of infection.The other physical factors such as consumption of drugs and alcohol can be affecting the fetus. These are the environmental factors that will be affected the early human development. In conclusion, nurture and nature influence early human development. That children can became kind of adult by receiving proper care, training and experience. It is also depend upon the family and society in the way to speak and learn. And at the last the environment factors that effect by mentally and physically in early life of newborn baby. So this essay outline the nurture strongly influence early human development.

Enron Case Essay

1.What led to the collapse of Enron under Lay and Skilling? There were various reasons as to why Enron collapsed under Lay and Skilling. One reason Enron collapsed under Lay is because Lay simply did not practice what he preached. Lay did not live by his code of ethics and neither did his corporation. Not only that, but Lay and top management gave Andrew Fastow an exemption to the code of ethics to continue doing business. Another reason that Enron collapsed, under Skilling, is that Skilling had a performance evaluation process for all Enron employees that didn’t express the code of ethics that they should’ve followed which caused employees to rank their peers lower as to enhance their own position in the firm. 2.How did the top leadership at Enron undermine the foundational values of the Enron Code of Ethics? The top leadership at Enron undermined the foundational values by granting an exemption to Andrew Fastow to continue bringing in dirty money through his actions. Also, the top leadership allowed an unethical culture of ethics by promoting to the employees that they had to make the numbers literally any way they could even if that meant to break the law. 3.Given Kenneth Lay’s and Jeff Skilling’s operating beliefs and the Enron Code of Ethics, what expectations regarding ethical decisions and actions should Enron’s employees reasonably have had? Enron had a great and respected code of ethics among its peers. Also, Lay and Skilling had respectable operating beliefs since they also represented the Enron Code of Ethics. So, reasonably, the employees’ expectations should have fun to do the right thing morally and ethically as well as to uphold the respect, integrity, communication, and excellence Enron stood for. 4.How did Enron’s corporate culture promote unethical decisions and actions? Enron’s corporate culture promoted unethical decisions and actions simply by  the greed that the top management showed and carried out. For example, Skilling’s implementation of performance evaluations for all the employees was unethical because it was geared to fire the lower one-fifth of the employees. Not only that, but partnerships were mostly created only to hide the companies’ losses through the bonus program. 5.How did the investment banking community contribute to the ethical collapse of Enron? The investment banking community contributed to the ethical collapse of Enron because not only were they enablers but they also participated in the frauds as well. For example, Enron would book loans called prepays to their operating cash flow. Also, Andrew Fastow was also allowed to use a tactic where a poor performing asset would be taken off the books and be sold back to the company at profit after the end of quarters after the earnings had been booked.

Imc Process in Advertising Essay

McDonalds is known today around the world and by every two year old. When they first opened up in 1940 they were a BBQ drive thru. In 1948 they reopened as a hamburger joint and their big advertisement was 15 cent hamburgers. In 1955 the golden arches were designed by architect Stanley Meston, and they did not know at that time they would become the national trademark of McDonalds. The advertising has changed over the years, but the catchy phrases live on and most people would know the company by their slogans. The first advertisement done for McDonalds was the number of hamburgers sold, the first sign read 100 million sold in 1958. Over the years it has changed to billions and billions. By 1962 they were advertising the first come in and sit down McDonalds. The biggest advertising campaign came for McDonald’s in 1966 when they introduced Ronald McDonald in the first television commercials and at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade where Ronald McDonald was sitting in a flying hamburger. He became an instant hit by children and the franchise grew tremendously in the next few years even to include internationally. In 1971 the advertising grew to add friends for Ronald McDonald to include Hambuglar, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, Captain Crook, and the Big Mac in Ronald McDonald land. The advertising of these new characters created frenzy for children with toys, games, and cartoons. The â€Å"Have you had your break today,† advertisement began in 1995, and in 1997 the catch phrase was â€Å"Did Someone say McDonalds?† That did not catch on as well as the advertisers expected so in 1998 they changed it to â€Å"Made for you,† this is still their slogan today. Advertising the â€Å"Made for you,† slogan has benefited the company greatly because even in the recession during 2007-2008 sales to the company still grew. The advertising of McDonalds use to be driven more towards children, but in recent years it has been geared more towards adults with Wi- Fi advertising, the line of McCafà ©s it offers, and the adults menus of hamburgers and salads. The theory behind this was not only do children want to go to McDonalds but it is a great place for adults to meet, have a meal and work with their computers. Consumers are impacted by McDonalds advertising because of the prices, the look of the food on commercials and billboards, and convenience that your food will be hot and ready, and â€Å"Made for you.† When it is a hot day and you are thirsty and you see the commercials or a billboard with a cold soda, and the ice over flowing, and  the condensation on the side of the glass, knowing that it is only a dollar and there is a McDonalds on every corner it makes you want one. While you are there getting that drink the pictures on the menu make you hungry. This is how they get the attention of customers and boost sales. They have the largest advertising budget in the United States at $2 billion dollars a year. (O’Brien, 2012) That is why you cannot turn on a radio, television, or drive down the road without seeing a Mc Donald’s advertisement. The large advertising budget allows McDonald’s to reach an audience far larger than most fast food chains. This keeps them on top, and adding new items to the menus will keep customers coming back for more. This is found in the once a year campaign of the McRib. The advertising for the sandwich is done about a week before they are in the restaurants and because of the limited time available ads this increases the want for the sandwich. When people are watching a show late at night and seeing the advertisement’s for McDonalds it makes them think they are hungry and should run out to McDonalds to get the hamburger, chicken nuggets, and those world famous french fries along with a cold soda, that is advertised with lots of ice. Now that most McDonalds are open late or 24 hours, this means you can fix your cravings caused by an advertisement any time day or night. This is exactly the chains plans in advertising. I believe that McDonalds has had great success in their advertising over the years. This is because the success of the company, stock prices that are $100 per share and when you compare them to other fast food chains McDonalds is on the top. (O’BRIEN, 2012) Even though the ways of advertising has changed from radio to television, billboards to internet the messages are all the same. Buy our product it will make you happy, healthy, improve your lives, make you live longer, or fix that late night craving. I believe the more a product is advertised the more people will want to try it. If it is satisfying to the consumer they will be coming back for more. Having a slogan, jingle, or a character helps keep the advertisement in our minds, and when we hear them we do not even have to be in the room to know what is being advertised on the commercials. I tried this on my daughter while writing this paper and she was able to get almost everyone. This proves the fact that the more they advertise the more the product becomes familiar and people are more comfortable with familiar things. Works Cited O’BRIEN, K. (2012, may 4). The Money Issue. Retrieved from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/06/magazine/how-mcdonalds-came-back-bigger-than-ever.html?pagewanted=all O’Brien, K. (2012, may 5). The secrets of McDonalds. Retrieved from New York Times: http://www.centives.net/S/2012/the-secrets-of-mcdonalds/

Modern Management – Unilever

1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How effectively do you think Unilever’s mission statement establishes the Company’s direction and important values?   What changes, if any would you recommend and why? Unilever’s new mission statement was ‘Add vitality to life’.   They were considering making people feel that with their personal care products, they could look and feel good, and get more out of life.   The managers and employees which were working for Unilever could now do their work activities in wellbeing of the clients that belong to the communities the products are sold in. Through this mission statement Unilever tried to differentiate its products from its competitors in a global market.   Fitzgerald, the outgoing Chairman of Unilever, took into consideration several factors including the fast rate of urbanization, the constantly increasing age of the people and healthy living strategy adopted by people.   He decided to use this strategy for his nutrition, personal care and hygiene items.   The strategy adopted by Unilever was quite unique and was keeping in tune with the needs of the people.   The â€Å"Unilever 2010 Strategy† was appearing on the products and promotional of the company.   To some extent, the strategy adopted by Unilever was effective and good for its growth. As it was keeping in tune with the changing needs of the people, it was a step ahead of other companies such as Proctor and Gamble, Nestle and Reckitt Benckiser.   However, if this strategy could enable a high growth rate of the company was doubtful.   This was because the company had to take care of other strategies such as effective brand-building, marketing and product innovation.   Several assumptions over sales, growth, profit, cost debt, etc, were made.   The company was competing against 20 other companies and had to ensure that their new mission statement was supported by sound development in the other areas. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Identify one or more Unilever strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.   How might Cescau use the strengths to counteract the threats? Unilever strengths 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company was formed by a merger of two giants, namely the British Lever Bros and the Dutch Margarine Unie, and had a stronghold in both these nations. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unilever established itself as an MNC in about 150 different countries. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It had a very good human resource team (about 234, 000 employees). 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2004, it had about 12 products which were in the $ billion-brand mark.   This was up against it 4 such brands in the year 1999, suggesting growth of the company. Unilever weaknesses 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the year 2004, the revenue growth of the company, was far below the targeted 5 to 6 % mark. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company did not apply a strategy that would thrive in the market environment of its 2000-2005 strategy.   Hence, this strategy adopted by the company did not work on past experiences and could have been risky to adopt. Unilever Opportunities 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company began to realize the changing needs of the people and the situation of the market whilst adopting its 2005 to 2010 strategy.   They realized that people were becoming more and more health consciousness and were getting older.   They also realized that the urbanized areas of the World were becoming larger and more populated. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The company was now working for the well-being of the people and the communities, which could help differentiate the company from their rivals.   This was a unique feature of their strategy. Unilever Threats 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unilever was making assumptions of the sales, growth rate, profits, debt and costs. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   They were competing against 20 other companies that had sound finances. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The other companies were adopting strategies that were based on market research As the company adopted a unique strategy that helped it to be differentiated from other companies by the people and the society, the chances of the company growing were high and realistic.   Besides, Unilever were selling their products in tune with the changing needs and ideas of the population.   Hence, there were chances of it surviving and becoming successful in the Market. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Where on the BCG matrix would you place Unilever’s 400 remaining brands?   Where would you place any newly developed products being introduced? Explain. The 400 remaining brands of Unilever were â€Å"Stars† as they had a high-growth rate and required huge amounts of investments in the long-term.   The new range of products from Unilever were â€Å"Question Marks† as they had a high-growth rate but doubts whether the management would invest in them in the future existed. References: Cresto, S. C. and Cresto, S. T. (2006). Chapter 3: Planning, Modern Management, (10th ed), New Jersey: Upper Saddle River, pp. 199-200.            

Media Campaign Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Media Campaign - Essay Example With the continuous technology advancements and subsequently altering as well as widening reach of mass media campaigns today, non-profit organisations have also taken a footstep ahead to use the communication tool for channelising their messages to the targeted audiences. In many instances, mass media campaigns have proved as beneficial in persuading the audiences to believe the message communicated and thereby alter their behaviours accordingly (Johnston, â€Å"Can Mass Media Change Behavior†). Contextually, there are various factors associated with a media campaign designed to promote a public service goal, which tend to impose significant influences in determining the success of the organisation in effectively conveying the intended message. Based on this particular learning, the discussion henceforth will focus on identifying, discussing and evaluating the influencing factors associated with a planned campaign intended towards the attainment of a public service goal of Co rporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to â€Å"promote an educated and informed civil society through high-quality content and services delivered across multiple platforms† (CPB, â€Å"CPB's Goals and Objectives†). Thesis Statement The discussion will begin with a brief overview of the planned campaign moving forth towards the identification of the most important elements or factors associated with its overall designing, construction and execution. With this objective, the discussion will address the most pertinent factors associated with the planned campaign with adequate rationalisation on the basis of the role played by mass media. The potential disadvantages of using media campaigns, both from a generalised perspective and specific viewpoint in relation to the planned campaign will also be studied in the essay. Before concluding on the key specifications of the essay, moral and ethical considerations attached to the media campaign will also be elaborated in the d iscussion. Overview of the Media Campaign CPB is renowned internationally as a non-profit private organisation which was established in the year 1967 by Congress. Since then, it has been serving the worldwide communities with various services, rendering praiseworthy support to mitigate various issues. Stating precisely, the broadcasting organisation intends to ensure high-quality journalism and reporting transparency with the aim to aid contribution from the society in facilitating the overall growth of the economy and prosperity of the mankind. In its course of strategic executions, the organisation has been focusing on various objectives amongst which, one particular public service goal can be considered as quite crucial which focuses on the promotion of an educated, liberalised and adequately informed society based on multiple platforms for the applications of high-quality contents as well as services. The objectives determined by the organisation for the attainment of this parti cular goal further emphasises on satisfying the public needs for education and information, especially among the diversified cultural groups in particular, which can be attained

The Implications of Educational Change on Teaching and Learning Essay

The Implications of Educational Change on Teaching and Learning Practice - Essay Example In terms of the academic years, the education system gets organized such that the school year gets divided into four short terms running from late January until December. In December and January, there is a long summer holiday while the short holidays are between the terms. School attendance is from Monday to Friday where the learning hours are from nine o’clock in the morning until four o’clock in the evening. Apart from the normal learning curriculum, the Australian education system caters for other student interest and skills including drama, art, debating and public speaking skills. Other activities in the curriculum include some interschool sporting activities, which receives enhancement through collaborations. These activities range from competitions to collaborations. The education system gets organized into private tuitions allow for elite programs for talented and international students. In regard to the research work of Marginson (2003), the education system i n Australia provides for purpose-built learning centre and sporting facilities that offer an ideal environment for personal and academic development. The education system is in such a way that there is an international Baccalaureate, where there are 24 non-governmental and governmental schools offering the international Baccalaureate organization for students of age between 16 and 19 years. Adult education is availed by the Australian education system, and aims at empowerment, raising consciousness, provide Praxis and useful knowledge. Policy analysis The policy under consideration is the introduction of the Australian qualification framework. This policy creates a qualification framework which supports credit transfer and articulation between... The paper approves that the Australian qualification framework, since its incorporation, has given support for the growth and maintenance of pathways and hence provides admission to qualifications. This has led to many people being able to go into many carriers through open training provided in the framework, since the learners undertake training in many fields while the teachers can train learners in many fields concurrently. The framework has had significant impacts on the learners and teachers as a result of the changes in the framework. This is because the framework supports the learner’s lifelong learning goals through the provision of the basis for learners to advance through education and training thus gaining credit for their prior learning and the experiences of the learners. This impact is observable in teachers too who also gain experience in the field of teaching and become more competitive in the job market. This essay makes a conclusion that the reading begins by stipulating the education system in Australia by clearly highlighting the various stages that a student goes through starting from kindergarten until the student becomes a graduate. The Australian qualification framework receives much emphasis since it is the guideline for the education system in Australia. According to the Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board, the framework has had a significant impact on graduates and teachers who wish to expand their carrier. The reading is progressive and systematic on the various issues in the Australian education system. This renders it relevant.

International Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

International Business - Assignment Example Jay Jays will expand its market by forming a strategic alliance with fashion outlets in UAE. Table of contents 1.0 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦p 4 2.0 Project description and progress†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.p 5 3.0 Business matching and networking†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦p 5 4.0 Objectives of joint venture and strategic alliance†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦p 6 5.0 Scope of business interests and details of business prospect in UAE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..p 7 6.0 Summary of opportunities and current business environment in UAE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦p 7 7.0 Brief summary of doing business in UAE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....p 9 8.0 Lessons learnt†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦p 10 9.0 Conclusion†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.p 10 10.0 Bibliography†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦p 12 International business 1.0 Introduction United Arab Emirates (UAE) joined the World Trade Organization in 1996 (Noack, 2007). UAE supports free trade and has maintained stable trade relations with most countries in the world. UAE has experienced high economic growth due to attractive business climate and its pos itioning as preferred international trade hub in the Middle East. UAE has world class airports and the busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic (Noack, 2007). More than hundred Airline Companies including British Airways, KLM, and United Airlines handle more than 50 million passengers that enter UAE years. Jebel Ali Port handles over 40 percent of cargo container and is served by more than 300 shipping companies (Noack, 2007). UAE has expanded its port facilities by 19 percent over the last few years. Several freed trade zones like Textiles and logistics in Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai Airport Free zone exist to serve the clothing industry (Durante & Boermeester, 2011). For instance, Dubai is the regional hub for investment in commodities like precious metals, fashion jewelllery and pearls that account for about 30 percent of UAE non-oil foreign trade. The financial markets are highly developed with many foreign banks entering the markets thus making UAE a Forex and Derivativ es hub (Noack, 2007). This paper will analyze the international business environment in UAE. The paper will describe how Jay Jays can form strategic alliances with companies located in UAE through networking with companies in the clothing industry in UAE. The paper will discuss the business prospects in UAE and opportunities currently in the clothing industry in UAE. The paper will offer the advantages of doing business in UAE and recommendations for international businesses willing to venture in UAE. 2.0 Project description and progress Jay Jays is a fashion company that targets mainly the youth. The company is headquartered in Richmond, Australia and has branches in all major cities in the country and also New Zealand. The company philosophy is â€Å"freedom of expression† while the motto is to provide something new and fun. The company strength is its energetic and friendly staff that encourages the youth to push beyond the boundaries in their casual wear. The company offe rs pocket-friendly products like surf styles, casual basics, street wear and accessories. Jay Jays brand strives to be energetic and valuable clothing outlet. Jay Jay’

Fortifying U.S. National security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Fortifying U.S. National security - Essay Example To respond to the first two revolutions requires foreign policy initiatives in the Middle East and elsewhere as bold as the Marshall Plan and as encompassing as energy security. (Tucker, 2006) To create a national security strategy requires an understanding of the changing nature of conflict particularly, and that requires an understanding of the erosion of the sovereignty of nation-states. For 350 years, wars have been fought between the uniformed armies of nations with fixed borders, meeting in the field to achieve a political result. Rules evolved for these wars: Geneva conventions and a body of international law spell out the norms for humane treatment and repatriation of prisoners, the rights of noncombatants, rules against the use of torture, and so forth. Nations disintegrate; and when a nation disintegrates, as in the former Yugoslavia, geographic borders warp and sometimes evaporate. (Clancey, 2006) Indeed, part of the process of creating peace among ethnic combatants in a disintegrating nation involves drawing new boundaries and building new nations. And now, in the new age of terrorism, United States experience violence being perpetrated by combatants in civilian clothes, representing no nation, attacking civilian targets, with no political agenda, and possessing only a fanatical commitment to destruction for its own sake. When the nature of conflict changes, the means of assuring security must also change. New forms of violence resemble war, but by historic standards they are not. What is this new conflict, and how should United States deal with it United States call much of this new kind of violence terrorism. But labeling every bad actor a terrorist tempts us to embrace wretched allies on the always-dubious theory that the enemy of our enemy is our friend. On this same theory, United States supported undemocratic and repressive authoritarian oligarchies during the Cold War simply because they were opposed to communism. (Howard, 2006) United States set about assassinating foreign leaders United States did not like. The bills United States accrue from despicable allies and unprincipled policies that undermine the very principles United States claim to defend, however, always come due. In the past ten years, United States have seen a dozen or more low intensity conflicts between tribes, clans, and gangs. United States participated in some, including in Somalia, where United States experienced the painful consequences of brawling, however well intentioned, in another man's alley as memorialized in the fi lm Black Hawk Down. United States passively observed similar bloody confl icts, in Rwanda and elsewhere, where the weapon of choice, a machete, dated to the Bronze Age. (Korb, 2006) United States successfully formed a "coalition of the willing," essentially an ad hoc international posse, in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Kuwait. United States earned a quick victory in Kuwait largely due to intensive bombing and maneuver

Worldcom Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Worldcom - Article Example He managed his company indirectly and took the firm’s money to spend it on personal purchases which were extravagant in nature. The extravagant lifestyle left him in debt when the company started posting losses. The stock that he took a loan with from the company was the same stock he had used as security for the startup fee of the firm. This is one thing that he kept from the board of directors. He had taken a loan of $415 million and yet he had promised a $1 billion to the creditors, this became a major problem when he failed to meet the financial targets the following year. With the company losing its grip on the share of the market, the 2002 economic downfall of communication companies served as a major blow to the entity. On March of the same year, the SEC investigated the financials of WorldCom which was an economic giant at the time. They found improprieties that led to a 7% drop in the share of the market. This was attributed to the $415 million loan to Ebbers. The firm survived on merger reserves from there on, more inconsistencies were discovered on the reporting of revenues and altering of financial

Business environment Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business environment Report - Essay Example The changing business strategies to cope with the fast transforming socio-economical paradigms of the times have become crucial factors that enable the businesses to compete against their rivals. The external factors are often the major proponents that necessitate organizational changes. The world economy is presently undergoing tremendous turmoil. In the recent past, the American economy has been under tremendous strain with its deteriorating job market and dismal performance of its various public private companies. Its offshore business has also suffered as a result of bad economic policies of the current republican government, headed by George Bush. The bankruptcy of few of its major financial institutions has resulted in the financial meltdown that has created a serious crisis situation in the American economy that has cascaded down to the rest of the world. The recessive trend in the American economy has forced the businesses to meet the challenges with creative business strategies and embrace the changing business compulsions with vigour and vitality. In a news report in the ‘Guardian’ on 3 December 2008, it was reported that UK’s top retailer, Tesco was really struggling against ‘Morrisons’ to maintain its position. While Tesco had registered its worst sales in 14 years during the Christmas, Morrisons had surged ahead towards the position of top retailer! The article was succinct in describing the cause and effects of the current recessive trend in the retail industry and the various ways through which they were trying to meet the challenges and attract customers to increase their sales. In yet another news item in the same issue, Christ Hirst had highlighted the ‘Christmas supermarket advertisements’. Hirst has revealed that the advertisements play a significant role in the boosting the sales figure and Morrisons’ ‘The campaign is about freshness and provenance,

Concentration camp Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Concentration camp - Essay Example The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum report on concentration camps reveals that â€Å"Between 1933 and 1945, Nazi Germany established about 20,000 camps to imprison its many millions of victims† (Nazi). The concentration camps of Nazi Germany were designed in various forms and did not all engage in the same type of activities. The first camp that was created in Nazi Germany was opened two months after Adolf Hitler took power in January 1933. The camp, called Dachau, was considered a triumph for the German people because the people were in need of order in their country (Bergen). This camp was considered a solution to the chaos that had previously existed. In bringing order to Germany, Hitler imprisoned political prisoners, who were communists, social democrats, or anyone who was against Hitler’s authority. Some of the prisoners were brutal convicts from traditional prisons who were given the power over other prisoners in order to make the job of the camp guards an easier task (Bergan). As the first prison, Dachau would be the experiment off of which the rest of the camps would then be tailored to fit the needs that the camp would be built to fulfill. According to Harold Marcuse, in his book, Legacies of Dachau: The Uses and Abuses of a Concentration Camp-2001 , â€Å"During the first weeks of the camp’s operation, the prisoners were not humiliated or mistreated, their heads were not shaved, they were not identified by numbers, and they were not forced to work† (22). However, the treatment would change in the months that followed. Marcuse states that by May of 1933, special rules had been put into place, and that â€Å"violence and terror were institutionalized as part of life in the camps† (22). By the end of May, records show that 12 prisoners had been killed or tortured to death (Marcuse 22). Dachau was becoming a template for the horrors that would follow in the various camps that would be built . After 1940, the

Marketing Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words - 1

Marketing Plan - Research Paper Example This discussion will also involve market objective setting, target market analysis, such as segmentation, targeting and positioning, marketing strategies and illustration of marketing mix elements. Finally, the study will properly evaluate the process of marketing plan implementation, budgeting and controlling. Apple Inc. is one of the leading global technology companies which is specialized in developing, designing and marketing of consumer electronics. Their product line includes iPhone, iPod, iPad, Macbook etc. Apart from the hardware the organization is also specialized in developing and designing various software products and online services. The business was established in 1976. Headquarter of the organization is situated in Cupertino, California (Apple Inc. 2015a). The organization has secured the second largest position across the world as an Information Technology company in terms of their revenue while the top position is secured by Samsung Electronics. Alternatively, Apple Inc. has been entitled as the third largest company as a Smartphone maker. The value of the organization is approximately $500 billion. By the end of 2014, the organization has recorded annual revenue of $182 billion (Kraemer, et al., 2011). The analysis of the current situation of the organization will illustrate the micro environment as well as macro environment of the business. The analysis of 5 C’s of marketing such as company, collaborators, customers, competitors and climate, provides detailed understanding regarding the micro as well as macro environment of the business (Wilson and Gilligan, 2012). Product ranges: The organization provides a wide range of technology products that includes hardware software and online services. The products and services of the organization mainly include iPhone, iPad, iPod, Macbook, iTune, Mac App Store, iCloud and application software (Marketline, 2014). This is the Smartphone range of Apple Inc. which includes the

Effect of Internal Controls on Financial Performance Essay Example for Free

Effect of Internal Controls on Financial Performance Essay Over the past decade, Africa and other developing regions have been in the midst of tremendous changes. Market liberalization and governmental decentralization policies have interfaced with globalization and urbanization trends to dramatically transform social, political, economic and cultural lives. In this context of rapid change, SME operations can no longer remain behind serving only to meet sustenance income for their owners. SMEs engagements have to become a dynamic and integral part of the market economy. The identification of factors that determine new venture performance such as survival, growth or profitability has been one of the most central fields of entrepreneurship research (Sarasvathy, 2004). A multitude of research papers has focused on exploring various variables and their impact on performance (Bamford et al., 2004). However, in order to be able to analyze and model the performance of new ventures and SMEs, the complexity and dynamism they are facing as well as the fact that they may not be a homogenous group but significantly different in regard to many characteristics (Gartner et al., 1989) have to be taken into account. In line with the above, there have been challenging debates all over the world on the role played by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) towards economic development. Therefore, a vast literature on the growth and performance of SMEs has been developed over the years. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have had a privileged treatment in the development literature, particularly over the last two decades. Hardly any arguments are put forward against SMEs, even if development policies do not necessarily favour them and economic programs, voluntarily or not, often continue to result in large capital investment. Arguments for SMEs come from almost all corners of the development literature programs, particularly in the less developed countries (LDCs), tend to emphasise the role of SMEs, even if practical results differ from the rhetoric. (Carlos Nuno Castel-Branco. May, 2003) Therefore, SMEs seem to be an accepted wisdom within the development debate. It is believed that growth in SMEs should have a positive effect on the living conditions of the people, their income level, housing, utilities. Castel-Branco (2003), in a study, revealed that this is not always true because areas where SMEs are performing so well attracts public attention and many competitors begin to troop into the area. This subsequently leads to over congestion with its associated problems of which accommodation is not an exception. The structure of SMEs in Ghana as perhaps one of the main engines of growth can be viewed as rural and urban enterprises. For urban enterprises, they can either be planned or unplanned. The planned-urban enterprises are characterized by paid employees with registered offices whereas unplanned-urban enterprises are mostly confined to the home, open space, temporal wooden structures, and employment therein is family or apprentices oriented. In the recent pursuit of economic progress, Ghana as a developing country has generally come to recognize that the SME sector may well be the main driving force for growth, due to its entrepreneurial resources and employment opportunities. Nevertheless, the existing attempts to explore empirically the roles played by SME in the economic development of a nation are still somewhat ambiguous. This can be attributed, more or less, to the fact that when examining economic progress per se, economists have tended to ignore the industrial structure of the economy and the impact this can have on such development. The ambiguity of the role of SMEs has therefore necessitated the need for a study to be conducted to access the actual impact of the proliferation of SMEs on the inhabitants of the Medina community. 1.2 Problem Statement The small business sector is recognized as an integral component of economic development and a crucial element in the effort to lift countries out of poverty (Wolfenson, 2001). The dynamic role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries as engines through which the growth objectives of developing countries can be achieved has long been recognized. The growth of small scale businesses in Ghana so rapid, that it is now seen as a daily affair. Many Potential owners of SMEs move to areas where the feel they can succeed to set them up there. More so, many factors may contribute to the movement of people to settle at certain geographical areas. It is believed that the factors that influence migration include the need for peaceful and violent free environment, the need for fertile business locations, the desire for privacy, government policy and a host of others. Specifically, with reference to the above, the Medina municipality of the Greater Accra region has experienced a noticeable growth and increase in the number movements into the area and for that matter SMEs increase in the last few years. It is important to mention that some research studies have been conducted to determine the real impact of migrations on host societies. In line with the above, this study sorts to assess the nature of SMEs in Medina with respect to the involvement of men and women, the main sources funds for them, the main objectives and challenges faced by SMEs in Medina, reasons the explosion of SMEs in Medina and the scio-economic impacts of this growth of SMEs in Medina. 1.3 Objectives: 1.3.1 Main Objective The main objective of this study is to assess the general impact of the plorefication of SMEs in Medina on the Medina municipality of the Greater Accra region. 1.3.2 Specific Objectives 1. To assess the nature and forms of SMEs in Medina and the relative involvement of women and men. 2. To identify the main objectives and challenges of SMEs in Medina and to rank them in order of importance. 3. Assess the main sources of capital for SMEs in Medina. 4. To assess the status of SMEs in Medina with regard to business registration, savings, record keeping and business account holding. 5. To determine the factors that account for the emergence of small scale businesses in the Medina community 6. To assess the socio-economic impacts of the growth of SMEs in Medina 1.4 Research Questions The study shall provide answers to the following research questions: 1. What is the nature of SME operation in Medina and the relative involvement of women and men? 2. What are the main objectives and challenges of SMEs in Medina and which are ranked more importance? 3. What are the main sources of capital for SMEs in Medina? 4. What are the status of SMEs in Medina with regard to business registration, savings, record keeping and business account holding? 5. What factors have accounted for the emergence of small scale businesses in the Medina community? 6. What are the socio-economic impacts of the growth of SMEs in Medina? 1.5 Justification of the Study It is difficult to analyze the performance, nature of operation and behavior of the SME sector in Ghana due to the lack of comprehensive data on them and their activities. The sector is not classified into sub-sectors and the last industrial survey was conducted in 1995 but covered only medium and large-scale industries. In respect of this, the justification of this study rests on the fact that, study will help provide information on the nature of SMEs in Medina with respect to the involvement of men and women, the main sources funds for them, the main objectives and challenges faced by SMEs in Medina, reasons the explosion of SMEs in Medina and the socio-economic impacts of this growth of SMEs in Medina. Furthermore, the study while provide vital information policy makers of the Medina municipality and all other stakeholders of the Medina community. Finally the study while produce information to will add on to existing literature for further studies in this area. 1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study Due to time and resource constrains, this study is restricted particularly to the Medina community. The study focuses on the factors that account for the growth of SMEs in Medina and the socio-economic impacts of this change on the people of Medina among others. The study is limited in scope because it fails to cover the entire population of Ghana. The findings of this study may therefore lack generalizability as far as other communities in Ghana are concern. 1.7 Organization of the Study Chapter 1 deals with the background of the study, the problem statement, objectives of the study, justification of the study and organization of the study. Chapter 2 reviews both theoretical and empirical literatures on SMEs in general, in Ghana among others. Chapter 3 introduces the study area and describes the methodologies used to analyze the problems stated. It includes the methods used for data collection, and procedure for data analysis. Chapter 4 is devoted to presentation and discussion of results. Summary statistics of the variables used in the study are presented and discussed. Chapter 5 winds up this study drawing conclusions, their policy implications. Suggestions for future research based on the findings are made. CHAPTER TWO 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction This chapter reviews works on small and medium enterprises in the world, Africa and Ghana. The state of SMEs in Ghana is reviewed here. Also, Works on performance and determinants of performance of SMEs are captured. Furthermore, a section of this chapter assesses the various methods of measuring performance of SMEs which while help open up the understanding of the state of SMEs in Medina. Finally, this chapter closes with some migration theories to help facilitate the comprehension of the factors that actually account for human migration, in this case migration to Medina. 2.2 Definitions and Concepts of SMEs There is no single, uniformly acceptable, definition of a small firm (Storey, 1994). Firms differ in their levels of capitalization, sales and employment. Hence, definitions that employ measures of size (number of employees, turnover, profitability, net worth, etc.) when applied to one sector could lead to all firms being classified as small, while the same size definition when applied to a different sector could lead to a different result. The first attempt to overcome this definition problem was by the Bolton Committee (1971) when they formulated an â€Å"economic† and a â€Å"statistical† definition. Under the economic definition, a firm is regarded as small if it meets the following three criteria: i. It has a relatively small share of their market place; ii. It is managed by owners or part owners in a personalized way, and not through the medium of a formalized management structure; iii. It is independent, in the sense of not forming part of a large enterprise. The Committee also devised a â€Å"statistical† definition to be used in three main areas: a. Quantifying the size of the small firm sector and its contribution to GDP, employment, exports, etc.; b. Comparing the extent to which the small firm sector’s economic contribution has changed over time; c. Applying the statistical definition in a cross-country comparison of the small firms’ economic contribution. Thus, the Bolton Committee employed different definitions of the small firm to different sectors. 2.2.1 Criticism of the Bolton Committee’s â€Å"Economic† Definition of SMEs A number of weaknesses were identified with the Bolton Committee’s â€Å"economic† and `statistical’ definitions. First, the economic definition which states that a small business is managed by its owners or part owners in a personalized way, and not through the medium of a formal management structure, is incompatible with its statistical definition of small manufacturing firms which could have up to 200 employees. As firm size increases, owners no longer make principal decisions but devolve responsibility to a team of managers. For example, it is unlikely for a firm with hundred employees to be managed in a personalized way, suggesting that the `economic’ and `statistical’ definitions are incompatible. Another shortcoming of the Bolton Committee’s economic definition is that it considers small firms to be operating in a perfectly competitive market. However, the idea of perfect competition may not apply here; many small firms occupy `niches’ and provide a highly specialized service or product in a geographically isolated area and do not perceive any clear competition (Wynarczyk et al, 1993; Storey, 1994). Alternatively, Wynarczyk et al (1993) identified the characteristics of the small firm other than size. They argued that there are three ways of differentiating between small and large firms. The small firm has to deal with: (a) Uncertainty associated with being a price taker; (b) Limited customer and product base; (c) Uncertainty associated with greater diversity of objectives as compared with large firms. As Storey (1994) stated, there are three key distinguishing features between large and small firms. Firstly, the greater external uncertainty of the environment in which the small firm operates and the greater internal consistency of its motivations and actions. Secondly, they have a different role in innovation. Small firms are able to produce something marginally different, in terms of product or service, which differs from the standardized product or service provided by large firms. A third area of distinction between small and large firms is the greater likelihood of evolution and change in the smaller firm; small firms that become large undergo a number of stage changes. 2.2.2 Criticism of the Bolton Committee’s â€Å"Statistical† Definition of SMEs (i) No single definition or criteria was used for â€Å"smallness†, (number of employees, turnover, ownership and assets were used instead) (ii) Three different upper limits of turnover were specified for the different sectors and two different upper limits were identified for number of employees. (iii) Comparing monetary units over time requires construction of index numbers to take account of price changes. Moreover, currency fluctuations make international comparison more difficult. (iv) The definition considered the small firm sector to be homogeneous; however, firms may grow from small to medium and in some cases to large. It was against this background that the European Commission (EC) coined the term `Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)’. The SME sector is made up of three components: (i) Firms with 0 to 9 employees micro enterprises (ii) 10 to 99 employees small enterprises (iii) 100 to 499 employees medium enterprises. Thus, the SME sector is comprised of enterprises, which employ less than 500 workers. In effect, the EC definitions are based solely on employment rather than a multiplicity of criteria. Secondly, the use of 100 employees as the small firm’s upper limit is more appropriate given the increase in productivity over the last two decades (Storey, 1994). Finally, the EC definition did not assume the SME group is homogenous, that is, the definition makes a distinction between micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. However, the EC definition is too all embracing for a number of countries. Researchers would have to use definitions for small firms that are more appropriate to their particular `target’ group (an operational definition). It must be emphasized that debates on definitions turn out to be sterile unless size is a factor that influences performance. For instance, the relationship between size and performance matters when assessing the impact of a credit programme o n a targeted group (also refer to Storey, 1994). 2.2.3 Alternative Definitions of SMEs World Bank since 1976 Firms with fixed assets (excluding land) less than US$ 250,000 in value are Small Scale Enterprises. Grindle et al (1988) Small scale enterprises are firms with less than or equal to 25 permanent members and with fixed assets (excludingland) worth up to US$ 50,000. USAID in the 1990s Firms with less than 50 employees and at least half the output is sold (also refer to Mead, 1984). UNIDO’s Definition for Developing Countries: Large firms with 100+ workers Medium firms with 20 99 workers Small firms with 5 19 workers Micro firms with 5 workers UNIDO’s Definition for Industrialized Countries: Large firms with 500+ workers Medium firms with 100 499 workers Small firms with ≠¤99 workers From the various definitions above, it can be said that there is no unique definition for a small and medium scale enterprise thus, an operational definition is required. 2.2.4 Definitions SMEs in Ghana Small Scale enterprises have been variously defined, but the most commonly used criterion is the number of employees of the enterprise. In applying this definition, confusion often arises in respect of the arbitrariness and cut off points used by the various official sources. As contained in its Industrial Statistics, The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) considers firms with less than 10 employees as Small Scale Enterprises and their counterparts with more than 10 employees as Medium and Large-Sized Enterprises. Ironically, The GSS in its national accounts considered companies with up to 9 employees as Small and Medium Enterprises (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). An alternate criterion used in defining small and medium enterprises is the value of fixed assets in the organization. However, the National Board of Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in Ghana applies both the `fixed asset and number of employees’ criteria. It defines a Small Scale Enterprise as one with not more than 9 workers, has plant and machinery (excluding land, buildings and vehicles) not exceeding 10 million Cedis (US$ 9506, using 1994 exchange rate) (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). The Ghana Enterprise Development Commission (GEDC) on the other hand uses a 10 million Cedis upper limit definition for plant and machinery. A point of caution is that the process of valuing fixed assets in itself poses a problem. Secondly, the continuous depreciation in the exchange rate often makes such definitions out-dated (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). Steel and Webster (1990), Osei et al (1993) in defining Small Scale Enterprises in Ghana used an employment cut off point of 30 employees to indicate Small Scale Enterprises. The latter however dis-aggregated small scale enterprises into 3 categories: (i) micro -employing less than 6 people; (ii) very small, those employing 6-9 people; (iii) small -between 10 and 29 employees. 2.3 Why Small and Medium Scale Enterprises? The choice of small and medium scale enterprises within the industrial sector for this study is based on the following propositions (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). (a) Large Scale Industry (i) Have not been an engine of growth and a good provider of employment; (ii) Already receive enormous support through general trade, finance, tax policy and direct subsidies; (b) Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (i) Mobilize funds which otherwise would have been idle; (ii) Have been recognized as a seed-bed for indigenous entrepreneurship; (iii) Are labour intensive, employing more labour per unit of capital than large enterprises; (iv) Promote indigenous technological know-how; (vii) Are able to compete (but behind protective barriers); (viii) Use mainly local resources, thus have less foreign exchange requirements; (ix) Cater for the needs of the poor and; (x) Adapt easily to customer requirements (flexible specialization), (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). 2.4.0 The Role and Characteristics of SMEs 2.4.1 Role of SMEs in Developing Countries Small-scale rural and urban enterprises have been one of the major areas of concern to many policy makers in an attempt to accelerate the rate of growth in low income countries. These enterprises have been recognized as the engines through which the growth objectives of developing countries can be achieved. They are potential sources of employment and income in many developing countries. It is estimated that SMEs employ 22% of the adult population in developing countries (Daniels Ngwira, 1992; Daniels Fisseha, 1993; Fisseha, 1992; Fisseha McPherson, 1991; Gallagher Robson, 1995). However, some authors have contended that the job creating impact of small scale enterprises is a statistical flaw; it does not take into account offsetting factors that make the net impact more modest (Biggs, Grindle Snodgrass, 1988). It is argued that increases in employment of Small and Medium Enterprises are not always associated with increases in productivity. Nevertheless, the important role performed by these enterprises cannot be overlooked. Small firms have some advantages over their large-scale competitors. They are able to adapt more easily to market conditions given their broadly skilled technologies. However, narrowing the analysis down to developing countries raises the following puzzle: Do small-scale enterprises have a dynamic economic role? Due to their flexible nature, SMEs are able to withstand adverse economic conditions. They are more labour intensive than larger firms and therefore, have lower capital costs associated with job creation (Anheier Seibel, 1987; Liedholm Mead, 1987; Schmitz, 1995). Small-scale enterprises (SSEs) perform useful roles in ensuring income stability, growth and employment. Since SMEs are labour intensive, they are more likely to succeed in smaller urban centres and rural areas, where they can contribute to the more even distribution of economic activity in a region and can help to slow the flow of migration to large cities. Because of their regional dispersion and their labour intensity, it is argued that small-scale production units can promote a more equitable distribution of income than large firms. They also improve the efficiency of domestic markets and make productive use of scarce resources, thus, facilitating long term economic growth. 2.4.2 Characteristics of SMEs in Ghana A distinguishing feature of SMEs from larger firms is that the latter have direct access to international and local capital markets whereas the former are excluded because of the higher intermediation costs of smaller projects. In addition, SMEs face the same fixed cost as Large Scale Enterprises (LSEs) in complying with regulations but have limited capacity to market products abroad. SMEs in Ghana can be categorised into urban and rural enterprises. The former can be sub-divided into `organised’ and `unorganised’ enterprises. The organised ones tend to have paid employees with a registered office whereas the unorganised category is mainly made up of artisans who work in open spaces, temporary wooden structures, or at home and employ little or in some cases no salaried workers. They rely mostly on family members or apprentices. Rural enterprises are largely made up of family groups, individual artisans, women engaged in food production of local crops. The major activities within this sector include:- soap and detergents, fabrics, clothing and tailoring, textile and leather, village blacksmiths, tin-smithing, ceramics, timber and mining, beverages, food processing, bakeries, wood furniture, electronic assembly, agro processing, chemical based products and mechanics ( Liedholm Mead, 1987; Osei et al, 1993, World Bank, 1992). It is interesting to note that small-scale enterprises make better use of scarce resources than large-scale enterprises. Research in Ghana and many other countries have shown that capital productivity is often higher in SMEs than is the case with LSEs (Steel, 1977). The reason for this is not difficult to see, SMEs are labour intensive with very small amount of capital invested. Thus, they tend to witness high capital productivity, which is an economically sound investment. Thus, it has been argued that promoting the SME sector in developing countries will create more employment opportunities, lead to a more equitable distribution of income, and will ensure increased productivity with better technology (Steel Webster, 1990). 2.5 SME Approaches There are several approaches or theories to entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises. For the purpose of this study, the research team will dwell on three major theories. These include: venture opportunity, Agency Theory and Theory of Equity Funds 2.5.1 The Venture Opportunity The venture opportunity school of thought focuses on the opportunity aspect of venture development. The search for idea sources, the development of concepts; and the implementation of venture opportunities are the important interest areas for this school. Creativity and market awareness are viewed as essential. Additionally, according to this school of thought, developing the right idea at the right time for the right market niche is the key to entrepreneurial success. Major proponents include: N Krueger 1993, Long W. McMullan 1984. Another development from this school of thought is what is described by McMullan (1984) as â€Å"corridor principle’’. This principle outlines that, giving prior attention to new pathways or opportunities as they arise and implementing the necessary steps for action are key factors in business development. The maxim that â€Å"preparation meeting opportunity, equals â€Å"luck† underlines this corridor principle. Proponents of this school of thought believe that proper preparation in the interdisciplinary business segments will enhance the ability to recognise good venture opportunities. Comparing the study with the above theory, the question that arises is: What are the factors or opportunities that have led to the proliferation of small and medium scale enterprises in Medina Township? Is it due to a particular market niche, creativity or market awareness? If so, then what socio-economic impact do they have on the people of Medina Township? 2.5.2 Agency Theory Agency theory deals with the people who own a business enterprise and all others who have interests in it, for example managers, banks, creditors, family members, and employees. The agency theory postulates that the day to day running of a business enterprise is carried out by managers as agents who have been engaged by the owners of the business as principals who are also known as shareholders. The theory is on the notion of the principle of two-sided transactions which holds that any financial transactions involves two parties, both acting in their own best interests, but with different expectations. Major proponents of this theory include: Eisenhardt 1989, Emery et al.1991 and JH Davis – 1997. These Proponents of agency theory assume that agents will always have a personal interest which conflicts the interest of the principal. This is usually referred to as the Agency problem. 2.5.3 Theory of Equity Funds Equity is also known as owners equity, capital, or net worth. Costand et al (1990) suggests that larger firms will use greater levels of debt financing than small firms. This implies that larger firms will rely relatively less on equity financing than do smaller firms’. According to the pecking order framework, the small enterprises have two problems when it comes to equity funding [McMahon et al. (1993, pp153)]: 1) Small enterprises usually do not have the option of issuing additional equity to the public. 2) Owner-managers are strongly averse to any dilution of their ownership interest and control. This way they are unlike the managers of large concerns who usually have only a limited degree of control and limited, if any, ownership interest, and are therefore prepared to recognize a broader range of funding options. Modern financial management is not the ultimate answer to every whim and caprice. However, it could be argued that there is some food for thought for SMEs concerning every concept. For example Access to Capital is really eye-opener for SMEs in Ghana to carve their way into sustaining their growth. 2.6 Policies for Promoting SMEs in Ghana Small-scale enterprise promotion in Ghana was not impressive in the 1960s. Dr. Nkrumah (President of the First Republic) in his modernization efforts emphasized state participation but did not encourage the domestic indigenous sector. The local entrepreneurship was seen as a potential political threat. To worsen the situation, the deterioration in the Balance of Payments in the 1980s and the overvaluation of the exchange rate led to reduce capacity utilization in the import dependent large-scale sector. Rising inflation and falling real wages also forced many formal sector employees into secondary self-employment in an attempt to earn a decent income. As the economy declined, large-scale manufacturing employment stagnated (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). According to Steel and Webster (1991), small scale and self-employment grew by 2.9% per annum (ten times as many jobs as large scale employment) but their activities accounted for only a third of the value added. It was in the light of the above that the government of Ghana started promoting small-scale enterprises. They were viewed as the mechanism through which a transition from state-led economy to a private oriented developmental strategy could be achieved. Thus the SME sector’s role was re-defined to include the following (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000): (i) Assisting the state in reducing its involvement in direct production (ii) Absorbing labour from the state sector, given the relatively labour intensive nature of small scale enterprises, and; (iii) Developing indigenous entrepreneurial and managerial skills needed for sustained industrialization. 2.6.1 Government and Institutional Support to SMEs To enable the sector perform its role effectively, the following technical, institutional and financial supports were put in place by government. (i) Government Government, in an attempt to strengthen the response of the private sector to economic reforms undertook a number of measures in 1992. Prominent among them is the setting up of the Private Sector Advisory Group and the abolition of the Manufacturing Industries Act, 1971 (Act 356) that repealed a number of price control laws, and The Investment Code of 1985 (PNDC Law 116), which seeks to promote joint ventures between foreign and local investors. In addition to the above, a Legislative Instrument on Immigrant Quota, which grants automatic immigrant quota for investors, has been enacted. Besides, certain Technology Transfer Regulations have been introduced. Government also provided equipment leasing, an alternative and flexible source of long term financing of plant and equipment for enterprises that cannot afford their own. A Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme was also set up for entrepreneurs who have inadequate or no collateral and has limited access to bank credit. To complement these efforts, a Rural Finance Project aimed at providing long-term credit to small-scale farmers and artisans was set up. In 1997, government proposed the establishment of an Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF), operational under the Exim Guarantee Company Scheme of the Bank of Ghana. This was in aid of industrial and export services within the first quarter of 1998. To further improve the industrial sector, according to the 1998 Budget Statement, specific attention was to be given to the following industries for support in accessing the EDIF for rehabilitation and retooling: Textiles/Garments; Wood and Wood Processing; Food and Food Processing and Packaging. It was also highlighted that government would support industries with export potential to overcome any supply-based difficulty by accessing EDIF and rationalize the tariff regime in a bid to improve their export competitiveness. In addition, a special monitoring mechanism has been developed at the Ministry of Trade and Industries. In a bid to improve trade and investment, particularly in the industrial sector, trade and investment facilitating measures were put in place. Visas for all categories of investors and tourists were issued on arrival at the ports of entry while the Customs Excise and Preventive Service at the ports were made proactive, operating 7-days a week. The government continued supporting programmes aimed at skills training, registration and placement of job seekers, training and re-training of redeployees. This resulted in a 5% rise in enrolment in the various training institutes such as The National Vocational and Training Institute (NVTI), Opportunity Industrialization Centres (OIC), etc. As at the end of 1997, 65,830 out of 72,000 redeployees who were re-trained under master craftsmen have been provided with tools and have become self-employed. (ii) Institutions The idea of SME promotion has been in existence since 1970 though very little was done at the time. Key institutions were set up to assist SMEs and prominent among them was The Office of Business Promotion, now the present Ghana Enterprise Development Commission (GEDC). It aims at assisting Ghanaian businessmen to enter into fields where foreigners mainly operated but which became available to Ghanaians after the ‘Alliance Compliance Order’ in 1970. GEDC also had packages for strengthening small-scale industry in general, both technically and financially. The Economic Recovery Programme instituted in 1983 has broadened the institutional support for SMEs. The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has been established within the then Ministry of Industry, Science and Technology now (Ministry of Science and Technology) to address the needs of small businesses. The NBSSI established an Entrepreneurial Development Programme, intended to train and assist persons with entrepreneurial abilities into self-employment. In 1987, the industrial sector also witnessed the coming into operation of the Ghana Appropriate Technology Industrial Service (GRATIS). It was to supervise the operations of Intermediate Technology Transfer Units (ITTUs) in the country. GRATIS aims at upgrading small scale industrial concerns by transferring appropriate technology to small scale and informal industries at the grass root level. ITTUs in the regions are intended to develop the engineering abilities of small scale manufacturing and service industries engaged in vehicle repairs and other related trades. They are also to address the needs of non-engineering industries. So far, 6 ITTUs have been set up in Cape Coast, Ho, Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale and Tema. (iii) Financial Assistance Access to credit has been one of the main bottlenecks to SME development. Most SMEs lack the necessary collateral to obtain bank loans. To address this issue, the Central Bank of Ghana has established a credit guarantee scheme to underwrite loans made by Commercial Banks to small-scale enterprises. Unfortunately, the scheme did not work out as expected. It was against this background that the Bank of Ghana obtained a US$ 28 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank for the establishment of a Fund for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (FUSMED). Under the Programme of Action to Mitigate the Social Cost of Adjustment (PAMSCAD), a revolving fund of US$ 2 million was set aside to assist SMEs. This aspect is too scanty in the midst of the abundant information, especially with reference to Ghana. 2.7 Gender and Small Business Performance Until more recently gender differences in small business performance remained largely unaddressed by social scientists (Greene, Hart, Gatewood, Brush, Carter, 2003). The majority of studies either disregarded gender as a variable of interest or excluded female subjects from their design (Du Rietz Henrekson, 2000). However, it is generally accepted that male and female owner-managers behave differently and that these behavioral differences influence their performance (Brush, 1992), but these differences have been recognized but not fully explained (Brush Hisrich 2000). A comparison of performance of male and female owner-managers in Java, Indonesia showed that female-owned businesses tend to be less oriented towards growth compared to male-owned businesses (Singh, Reynolds, Muhammad, 2001). Boden Nucci (2000) investigated start-ups in the retail and service industries and found that the mean survival rate for male owned businesses was four to six percent higher than for female owned businesses. Loscocco, Robinson, Hall Allen (1991) in their study of small businesses in the New England region of the USA found that both sales volume and income levels were lower for female- than for male-owned businesses. In a longitudinal study of 298 small firms in the United Kingdom (UK), of which 67 were female owned, Johnson Storey (1994) observed that whilst female owner-managers had more stable enterprises than their male counterparts, on average the sales turnover for female owners were lower than for male owners. Brush (1992) suggests that women perform less on quantitative financial measures such as jobs created, sales turnover and profitability because they pursue intrinsic goals such as independence, and the flexibility to combine family and work commitments rather than financial gain. In contrast to the above findings, Du Rietz and Henrekson (2000) reported that female-owned businesses were just as successful as their male counterparts when size and sector are controlled. In his study of small and medium firms in Australia, Watson (2002), after controlling for the effect of industry sector, age of the business, and the number of days of operation, also reported no significant differences in performance between the male- controlled and female-controlled firms.