Teacher Merit Pay Essay example - 1484 Words

July 21, 2011 Merit or Mistake In today’s society one of the most important factors in selecting a career field is rate of pay. No matter whether the profession maybe, the dollar figure must be within a range that allows the employee to maintain a substantial lifestyle. The debate of teacher pay scales has raged on for years. Many argue that the current pay scale for teachers is a scale which rewards teachers merely for seniority. They argue that the current pay scale overlooks those educators which demonstrate exceptional performance. Teacher merit pay systems have been the most popular suggestions made to remedy the problems seen with the current pay scale. Although the current pay scale may not be completely effective, the idea of†¦show more content†¦Hess. Merit pay systems create unhealthy competition between educators which should be working together to ensure that the best possible educational is being given to every student. If one observes an effective educational institution in operation, one will notice those institutions that are highly rated are essentially partnerships between various educators with various teaching styles and personalities teaming together to impart wisdom on young minds primed for educational molding. The general concept behind merit pay systems makes this type of partnership unattainable. In an article published in Education Week Kim Marshall stated that â€Å"When individuals are rewarded, collaboration suffers†. Educators become more concerned with outperforming their counter parts to gain pay raises then working together to educate young minds. Those who are in favor of teacher merit pay systems feel as though the use of this system can eliminate the possibility of seniority outweighing high performance. They believe that those teachers in merit pay systems would be made to perform better in the classroom and demonstrate great teaching skills. Although there is some truth to this idea, it should not be accepted in the argument of teacher merit pay. In the Christian Science Monitor Reg Weaver stated merit pay systems would warrant â€Å"an adherence to some type of evaluative standard â€Å" This means that teacher evaluations would consists mainly of the scores fromShow MoreRelatedEssay about Exploring the Possibility of Merit Pay for Teachers1277 Words   |  6 Pagesto award merit pay to teachers in an attempt to obtain and retain effective teachers as measured by student academic achievement. These proposals are supported by budgeted funding for the 2011 fiscal year with additional funding included in the optional, c ompetitive 1.35 billion Race to the Top Fund. A number of different merit pay systems exist. Some reward entire schools or districts when passing rates on standardized tests are achieved, while others reward individual teachers for passingRead MoreMerit Pay For Teachers And Teachers1327 Words   |  6 Pages Merit Pay for Teachers President Barack Obama said in a recent speech that â€Å"The future belongs to the nation that best educates its citizens †¦ It is time to give all Americans a complete and competitive education† (Stout). His first point has become evident over time. The nations that best educate their children will have power in the future. He also mentions giving Americans a competitive education. This is referring to implementing a form of merit pay for teachers; paying bonuses to a teachers’Read MoreThe Merits Of Teacher Performance Pay3187 Words   |  13 PagesTHE MERITS OF TEACHER PERFORMANCE PAY IN KENYA Introduction This paper discusses the merits of performance pay for teachers in Kenya. I argued here that remuneration reforms for civil service teachers will achieve production efficiency. This paper has three main sections. Section 1 gives a brief description of the scheme of service for teachers in Kenya. Section 2 highlights the economic case in favour of teacher salaries and identifies the government failures in ensuring teacher effectiveness.Read MoreBenefits And Disadvantages Of Performance Related Pay1808 Words   |  8 PagesQuestion 15: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of performance related pay. To what extent should it be a model of remuneration for employees across all pay scales? OUTLINE I. Introduction 1. General information 2. Thesis: Addressing two main parts II. Body 1. Advantages and disadvantages of performance related pay a. Advantages - Working as a motivator (e.g. sales personnel) - Improve workforce productivity - Attract and keep employees, especially high-quality workers (E.g. executives)Read MoreMerit Pay at Carroll University - Winners Take All Essay5093 Words   |  21 Pages[Type the company name] | Merit Pay at Carroll Universiy | Should the Winners Take All? | | | 11/19/2010 | | Introduction: Performance related pay in academia, in particular merit pay, is often a source of controversy. As cited in Value-Related Issues in a Departmental Merit Pay, a faculty-designed merit pay plan is defined as â€Å"a process that may produce a pay increase for university faculty who perform a variety of worthwhile work activities according to the practices, policiesRead MoreModule 7 Action Inquiry Essay Merit Pay1459 Words   |  6 PagesRunning head: ACTION INQUIRY RESEARCH PAPER- MERIT PAY Action Inquiry Research Paper- School Finance Jennifer Ponton Grand Canyon EDA 535 July 01, 2012 Action Inquiry Research Paper- School Finance Statement of the Problem This past spring thousands of teachers protested at the Louisiana State Capital to prevent Louisiana lawmakers from passing an educational reform bill proposed by Governor Bobby Jindall that would change the face of public education in Louisiana forever. ManyRead MoreBusting Unions For Fighting Reform Policies784 Words   |  4 Pagesmuch of his energy in attacking the power of the teacher unions. He claims that teachers unions are the heart of the problem when it comes to organization and reform (Moe, 2011, p. 20). While Moe claims the NEA (National Education Association) and the AFT (American Federation of Teachers) have historically lobbied against many reform programs, including voucher programs, charter schools, and merit pay programs, there is also evidence where teachers’ unions have supported new reforms. They have introducedRead MoreBenefits Of Merit Pay System945 Words   |  4 PagesTeachers have an important role in shaping the kids of our future, to which they are not given enough credit for. Compared to how much teachers give, they are not given the amount of recognition and reward they truly deserve. Teachers are paid solely based on how many years they have been working and their credentials. Because of this, the teaching profession may not be of interest or is undermined by other professions: â€Å"A January report revealed that relatively low pay, high turnover rates thatRead MoreThe Human Resource Administrative Procedures1595 Words   |  7 Pagesrelationships are created; and the development and utilization of existing human qualities (Brimley Garfield, 2012). Currently, the MSBSD struggles in recruiting and maintaining teachers in the areas of music, science, and special education. Hence, the MSBSD has aggressively been forced to recruit and attend teacher job fairs in the Lower 48. Last year alone, principals, district office administrators, and human resource personnel attended job fairs in the following states: Washington, Oregon,Read MoreMerit Pay Demise Essay examples1124 Words   |  5 Pagessurrounding merit pay for teachers has existed for decades in many countries across the globe. The debate has been particularly heated in the United States. Since the 1920s, public schools began awarding pay mostly according to title, and seniority rather than merit. Numerous attempts have been made to introduce merit pay systems throughout this period, but it never gained widespread popularity on a national level. Now, however, political leaders such as Barack Obama have supported merit pay for teachers

Evidence of Evolution in Fossil Records and the Process of...

The fossil record can show evidence for evolution, by relative dating, and radioactive dating we can find evidence for evolution. Relative dating is the process of finding out the age of a fossil by comparing it to other fossils/rocks. This process helps us determine how old certain specific fossils are by comparing them to other fossils; comparing older ancestor fossils helps us see the physical evolutionary change as time goes on, index fossils are used to determine the age of the fossil. Radioactive dating is another way we can see evolutionary change, this process involves obtaining the fossil and burning a small piece of the fossil, and obtaining/collecting all of the heat/radiation that is emitted from that fossil which is collected by a radiation counter; then the carbon 14 or carbon 12 that is left in fossil will be used; this then helps determine the half life of the fossil, which eventually helps us find out how old the fossil really is. Both these different methods that sc ientists use to determine fossil age shows us/helps us compare and find the age out our ancestors. Shows us how old the fossils are, helps us compare fossil records and see the change that is present/occurs throughout time. Comparative anatomy is another example of evolution, homologous structures, and analogous structures are both examples of evolution. A homologous structure is any structure that is similar in any way, but has a different overall function. Analogous structure are structuresShow MoreRelatedThe Origin Of Life : Intelligent Design Vs. Materialistic Naturalism2359 Words   |  10 Pages Marquel Gray Prof. Heather Clark 7/22/13 Eng.111-60A The origin of life: Intelligent Design vs. materialistic naturalism The origin of life has been questioned by men for thousands of years. Scientist have studied the universe extensively and developed various theories to answer questions related to the origin of life. Questions like, how did life begin? Is the universe the result of chaotic chance or intelligent design? How did life on earth come to be? These are some of the many questionsRead More Creation and Evolution, which do you believe? Essay1527 Words   |  7 PagesWhen thinking about the origin of life, there are two main points one can come to, Intelligent Design or Natural Process (Ken Ham, 2008). â€Å"According to the former view, supernatural intervention was essential for the creation of life; according to the latter, living organisms could form spontaneously—for example, from the mud of the Nile† (Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2006). Creation can be defined as the original bringing into existence of the universe by God (â€Å"Creation†, n.d.). Intelligent des ignRead MoreEssay Can Intelligent Design be Empirically Proven2734 Words   |  11 Pagespossess the ability to hold on to various forms of reasoning without any use of appurtenant evidence. With that being said, the matter of intelligent design and its counterparts, Darwinism, evolution and creationism, are noteworthy topics to discuss. For centuries, there have existed two major rival conjectures surrounding the causation of life in the universe: evolution and creationism. The concepts of evolution give the world of science a basic inference on how the cosmos came into existence. CreationismRead MoreIntroduction to Evolution3680 Words   |  15 PagesIntroduction To Evolution What is Evolution? Evolution is the process by which all living things have developed from primitive organisms through changes occurring over billions of years, a process that includes all animals and plants. Exactly how evolution occurs is still a matter of debate, but there are many different theories and that it occurs is a scientific fact. Biologists agree that all living things come through a long history of changes shaped by physical and chemical processes thatRead MoreBiology Through the Eyes of Faith2357 Words   |  10 Pageswhich says the world came about through the creator God. In chapter 1, Professor Wright speaks of the living world having many things to amaze us. Once nature catches out attention we realize that biology as a whole affects human life. Yet, many people still debate where life originated. He introduces two worldviews between the Natives and the Europeans who had two very different lifestyles. The European’s neglect to the land was the cause of the Native’s suffrage. Richard defines a worldview as a basicRead MoreEssay about The Facts of Evolution2399 Words   |  10 PagesThe Facts of Evolution A fact is something that exists beyond question. It is an actuality, an objective reality. It is established by solid evidence. A theory is something unproved but at times assumed true for the sake of argument. It has yet to be proved as factual. Nonetheless, sometimes something is declared to be a fact that is only a theory. In a September 30, 1986 article of the New York Times there was an published article by a New York University professor, Irving Kristol. His contentionRead MoreHemp Cultivation in China42289 Words   |  170 Pagestechniques. However, a modern hemp degumming, spinning, and weaving mill was constructed in the village of Dong Ping in Tai an District in 1987. In 1993, a Chinese-Dutch joint venture Figure 1. Shandong hemp farmers use traditional methods to grow and process their crop. invested in the hemp mill and began to influence the local cultivation, market structure, and processing of hemp. This article documents the traditional hemp farming practices and current market situation, especially with reference toRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 PagesPerspectives on the Past, edited by Susan Porter Benson, Stephen Brier, and Roy Rosenzweig Also in this series: Paula Hamilton and Linda Shopes, eds., Oral History and Public Memories Tiffany Ruby Patterson, Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life Lisa M. Fine, The Story of Reo Joe: Work, Kin, and Community in Autotown, U.S.A. Van Gosse and Richard Moser, eds., The World the Sixties Made: Politics and Culture in Recent America Joanne Meyerowitz, ed., History and September 11th John McMillian

The Anatomy Lesson free essay sample

Tulp is a 1632 oil painting by Rembrandt housed in the Mauritshuis museum in The Hague, the Netherlands. Dr. Nicolaes Tulp is pictured explaining the musculature of the arm to medical professionals. Some of the spectators are various doctors who paid commissions to be included in the painting. The painting is signed in the top-left hand corner Rembrant. f[ecit] 1632. This may be the first instance of Rembrandt signing a painting with his forename (in its original form) as opposed to the monogramme RHL (Rembrant Harmenszoon of Leiden), and is thus a sign of his growing artistic confidence. The event can be dated to 16 January 1632: the Amsterdam Guild of Surgeons, of which Tulp was official City Anatomist, permitted only one public dissection a year, and the body would have to be that of an executed criminal. [1] Anatomy lessons were a social event in the 17th century, taking place in lecture rooms that were actual theatres, with students, colleagues and the general public being permitted to attend on payment of an entrance fee. We will write a custom essay sample on The Anatomy Lesson or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The spectators are appropriately dressed for a solemn social occasion. It is thought that, with the exception of the figures to the rear and left, these people were added to the picture later. citation needed] One person is missing: the Preparator, whose task it was to prepare the body for the lesson. In the 17th century an important scientist such as Dr. Tulp would not be involved in menial and bloody work like dissection, and such tasks would be left to others. It is for this reason that the picture shows no cutting instruments. Instead we see in the lower right corner an enormous open textbook on anatomy, possibly the 1543 De humani corporis fabrica (Fabric of the Human Body) by Andreas Vesalius. Medical specialists have commented on the accuracy of muscles and tendons painted by the 26-year-old Rembrandt. It is not known where he obtained such knowledge; it is possible that he copied the details from an anatomical textbook. However, in 2006 Dutch researchers recreated the scene with a male cadaver, revealing several discrepancies of the exposed left forearm compared to that of a real corpse. [2] The surgically astute will notice that the origin of the exposed forearm muscles would seem to indicate that the flexor compartment originates at the lateral epicondyle, when it is, in fact, the medial epicondyle. It is the common extensor origin that originates at the lateral epicondyle.

What does Political Science mean to me an Example by

What does Political Science mean to me? A simple definition of political science would be the study of the process of governance and the relations between the government and the populace. It is the study of politics and the description of the various political happenings and behaviors. To understand this held view of political science as a field of study, it is important to look at what it centers mostly on; politics. A proper definition of politics revolves around the allocation of power and resources. A common held view of politics is the process of making the key decision of who gets what and when. Politics is all about power. Need essay sample on "What does Political Science mean to me?" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Max Weber defined power as the chance of a man or a number of men to realize their own will in a communal action even against the resistance of others who are participating in the action (Bealey et al 14) .My understanding of power would also have a similar undertone. It is the ability to do what one wants in a particular situation even when faced with insurmountable opposition from a section of the populace. The ability to carry out a decision, however popular or unpopular it maybe could be a proper indicator of power. The allocation of this power and the decision of how this power is to be shared out or the general decision of who is to be the ruler is politics.The study of this process of allocation of power between the ruler and the ruled is the broad subject of political science. The study of politics and the various processes would also include taking a closer look at the various forms of governments, concepts such as democracy, sovereignty and legitimacy. These are related concepts that shed a light on politics and the various factors that would impede on power allocation. Political science hence is the study of all these processes of power allocation between the government and its citizenry. It also involves an analyses and description of the various political events and behaviors Work Cited Frank Bealey, Richard A. Chapman, Michael Sheehan. Elements in Political Science. Edinburgh University Press. 1999; 14

Mortgage and Housing Act in the U.S

Introduction It is pointed out that, â€Å"in its preamble to the 1949 Housing Act, Congress declared its goal of ‘a decent home in a suitable living environment for every American family’† (Schwartz 1).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Mortgage and Housing Act in the U.S specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the course of over the last six decades, beginning from the time this legislation was passed, the U.S Federal Government has engaged in assisting to finance the construction as well as rehabilitation of over five million housing units for the families that have a low income, and has also offered rental vouchers to almost two million more families. However, the housing problems in the United States remain severe. For instance, it is reported that in the year 2005, over forty two million families stayed in physically deficient housing, with more than thirty percent of their incomes be ing spent on housing and even some families were homeless (Schwartz 1). Since housing is very costly, its development as well as acquisition mostly relies on borrowed funds. It is reported that â€Å"housing construction, acquisition of existing rental buildings, and the purchase of single-family homes all rely on debt† (Schwartz 51). It is also reported that in the year 2009, the residential mortgages were more than eleven trillion dollars, and this was more than fifty percent of the whole federal government debt (Schwartz 51). Much has been written on the impacts of the US mortgage crisis on the global economy. Financial experts have warned that the impacts of the US housing and financial crises might persist if the necessary policies are not implemented (Kolb 6). As a result, adjustments in the financial institutions have been inevitable. Most mortgage lenders have tightened their lending rates to survive in the changing markets (Bardhan 2). Several financial experts belie ve that the effects of the current US mortgage crisis are far much worse than stated by the government economists.Advertising Looking for research paper on common law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Objectives of the Study The main purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the mortgage and Housing Act in the United States of America. In this study, I sought to identify how the Housing Act has achieved its intended objectives. Moreover, my investigation sought to find out how the federal housing program has survived, despite the enormous economic challenges (Krugman 15). Another objective of the study was to assess the level of the current housing crisis in the US. In this regard, a number of the affected sectors were looked at and an evaluation of how the mortgage markets have behaved all through the recession was carried out. Last but not least, the study also sought to analyze the magnitude of the effects of th e housing crisis on the annual revenue collected by the state and the local governments. The research questions for the study included: To what extent have the objectives of the Housing Act in the U.S been met? How have mortgage markets behaved all through the recession (2007- 2008)? What are the effects of housing and financial crises on the government, organizations and households? Why I was Interested in Conducting this Study The Housing Act in the U.S. was enacted with an intention of ensuring that every American has a decent home in a proper living environment. This Act was intended to help ensure that proper housing is affordable to all Americans. However, the housing and financial crises that occurred starting from the year 2007 made this goal to be hard to achieve. The crises had some negative effects on households, organizations and the government. This study sought to understand these effects and the level to which the objectives of the Housing Act have been achieved. Th is study is very important because understanding these effects, and how effective the Housing Act has been, will go a long way in helping to come up with appropriate policies.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Mortgage and Housing Act in the U.S specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Implementation of such policies will serve to prevent the same effects from being felt in the future, and to ensure the objectives of the Housing Act are achieved to the highest level possible. Literature Review It is reported that before the commencement of â€Å"the Great Depression† in the year 1929; funding for buying â€Å"owner-occupied housing was in short supply and expensive†(Schwartz 51). Mortgages usually became due after a period of between two to eleven years, depending on the kind of the lender, â€Å"requiring repayment or re-financing† (Schwartz 51). A large number of lenders had the willingness to engage in covering less than sixty percent of the value of the property, calling for a larger number of borrowers to get â€Å"the second and third mortgages†(Schwartz 51). The difficulty of funding home purchases limited homeownership to the people who were richer and assisted in making rental housing to be the main type of tenure (Schwartz 51). It is reported that the â€Å"Great Depression† affected the homeowners as well as home ownership negatively to a large extent (Schwartz 51). Unemployment became prevalent and several homeowners could not make their monthly payments for the mortgage any longer. This prompted foreclosure on an immense scale. In the course of the year 1933, over fifty percent of the entire home mortgages â€Å"were defaulted and more than 1,000 mortgages were foreclosed every day† (Schwartz 51). Those homeowners who were able to remain current on their mortgage payments evaded foreclosure (Schwartz 1). However, a large number of them were forced to engage in selling their homes when the mortgages they had come due.Advertising Looking for research paper on common law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is reported that â€Å"cash-starved banks, beleaguered by customers withdrawing their deposits, became increasingly reluctant to roll over their mortgages and instead demanded that the borrower pay back the principal in full† (Schwartz 52). In addition, during that time, the total mortgage debt of a homeowner could be more than the actual value of the house and this could leave this person in debt even after the house being sold. This is a problem that appeared again seven and a half decades later, when there was collapsing of the recent housing bubble that caused about twenty percent of the homeowners â€Å"to owe more on their mortgage than their homes were worth† (Schwartz 52) (See Appendix 1). Following increased mortgage closure and collapsing of the whole housing industry, the federal government’s response was to take various measures that completely changed the U.S’s â€Å"housing finance system† and assisted in propelling homeownership à ¢â‚¬Å"within reach of a majority of its households† (Schwartz 52). Such institutions and programs made it possible to have a considerable increase in the nation’s homeownership beginning from the 1940s until the 1960s; setting up a fresh and steady â€Å"system for housing finance† which remained concrete for over four decades (Schwartz 52). The United States’ housing and financial sectors contribute significantly to the growth of the country’s economy. In the early 1990s, the US government took an initiative of enabling more low- income earners to own homes (Marshall 23). The government authorized all the housing stakeholders to reduce their mortgage requirements. In the year 1992, the US government, through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, acquired loans from mortgage banks and mortgage brokers. Following this move, more secondary mortgage markets were created (Marshall 34). At that time, regulations required GSEs to allocate 30 % of all the mortgages purchased as affordable housing loans. However, this requirement was not adhered to and in the year 2007, financial experts noted that the percentage had risen to 55% (Marshall 45). In the years 2007 and 2008, the boom in the housing sector came to an end following the onset of global financial crisis (Francis 12). This crisis and the subsequent recession had great negative effects on the US housing and financial sectors. A dramatic increase in default rates was realized. The increase in the default rates occurred because most of the homeowners were among the worst hit individuals by the recession. Notably, most of the homeowners had no retirement accounts (Parker 67). Because of lack of retirement accounts, these individuals were left with nothing they could use to access mortgages. The affected individuals were left with no other choice but to avoid paying their loans. The crisis affected the US government, organizations, institutions, and households (Bardhan 4). Economists noted that the effects of the crisis were felt by all persons, regardless of whether or not they had participated in the growth of the housing sector (Ellis 78). As a result, most of the gains obtained prior to the recession were reversed. Methodology This research involved use of secondary data. The collection of this data involved considering the existing data. The existing data included the surveys that have been conducted by various researchers as well as the general information on mortgages and the Housing Act. The work presented by other people on the subject was examined and used in this research in order to help answer the research questions and to achieve the objectives of the study. Results and Discussion Basing on the research conducted by some researchers in the past, it was found out that, about forty percent of the people in the United States of America have experienced financial distress in the course of the recession (National Bureau of Economic Research 1). Experts point out that â€Å"spending changes provide one measure of the recession’s impact on households’ well-being† (National Bureau of Economic Research 1). In a survey conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research, it was found that about seventy five percent of the respondents pointed out that they had reduced spending, and this was because of the economic crisis. Those that reported having engaged in reducing their spending cited various reasons for the reduction: eighty percent of them cited the need of reducing debt; seventy percent cited a decrease in the level of income; forty five percent cited a change in the status of employment; forty five percent cited a reduction in the value of their homes; and thirty five percent cited stock holdings (National Bureau of Economic Research 1). This is a clear indication that the housing and financial crises have affected the households adversely (National Bureau of Economic Research 1). In considering the effects of t he housing and financial crises on organizations, the existing data on this issue was also used. It was found out that, due to the sharp decline in the value of the â€Å"mortgage-backed† securities, the retail as well as the investment banks were compelled to â€Å"write-down† losses incurred on the securities that they held (Tiller 45). This brought about great losses in the whole banking sector in the last two quarters of the year 2007. The crisis became even more intense in March 2008 when the collapse of Bear Steams occurred. It was found out that, because the crisis made the banks to be afraid of lending money, both households and businesses were not able to borrow (Tiller 45). Therefore, the households put purchases on hold while the businesses engaged in laying-off their workers. It was also found out that, in the last quarter of the year 2008, the banking sector recorded a loss of twenty six billion dollars (Tiller 45). Moreover, the research established that the local governments were less hit by the recession as compared to the state governments. However, there is likelihood that the pressures will mount. It was found out that the local governments witnessed a smaller decline in the tax revenues as compared to the state governments. According to the available information, â€Å"even as national income home prices fell by 27 percent between the end of June 2006 and the end of 2010, property tax collection increased by 31 percent during the same period, reflecting delayed response to home price changes and new tax measures† (Congressional Budget Office 1). However, the declining housing prices will, sooner or later, feed into the local government tax revenues. The research findings indicated that, both the local and state governments reacted in response to the fiscal pressures by bringing down the level of their expenditure by almost 3% in real terms, in the cause of 2008/2009 fiscal year. Moreover, the local governments engaged i n cutting their labor force by approximately two percent within the period between December 2007 and December 2010 (Congressional Budget Office 1). It was also found out that the local government raised the level of some of the taxes, property taxes included, and made their tax base to be wider. This assisted in supporting collection of tax in the initial stages of the crisis (Congressional Budget Office 1). The bursting of the housing bubble began in the year 2006 and there was accelerating of the decline in 2007 and 2008 (Baker 73; Lybeck 120) (see Appendix). The housing prices ceased to go up in the year 2006.These prices then began to go down in 2007 and have, up to now, dropped by approximately 25% from the highest point (Moseley 1). The price reduction implied that homeowners could not be able to refinance any more, where there was resetting of their rates of mortgage This made the delinquencies as well as mortgage defaults to escalate, mainly ‘†among subprime borr owers† (Moseley 1). Beginning from the month of January 2006 up to August 2008, the proportion of mortgages in foreclosure rose by three times, â€Å"and the percentage of mortgages in foreclosure or at least thirty days delinquent more than doubled, from 4.5 percent to 10 percent† (Moseley 1). These rates are found to be the highest beginning from the time of the Great Depression. The peak of the rate of delinquency that occurred previously was 6.8% in the year 1984 and also in the year 2002 (Moseley 1). It has been projected that the worst has not yet happened. The hope that the American people have been having of owning their own homes is turning out to prove to be unrealizable. Conclusion The enactment of the Housing Act in the U.S. was undertaken with an aim of making sure that each and every American citizen has a decent home in a suitable environment. This Act aimed at ensuring that proper housing is affordable to all Americans. However, the housing and financial crises that occurred starting from the year 2007 made this goal hard to achieve. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the mortgage and Housing Act in the United States. This research sought to identify how the Housing Act has achieved its objectives. In achieving the objectives of this research and answering the research questions; the available literature on the topic was reviewed and secondary data was analyzed. It was established that, following the housing and financial crises, a considerable number of households reduced their spending. This was due to various reasons, which include; need of reducing debt, reduction in the income level, change in the employment status, reduction in the value of homes, and stock holdings. It was also found out that, such organizations as banks made big losses. Moreover, both the local and state governments experienced a decrease in the tax revenues. They responded by increasing other taxes, such as property taxes. The housing and financial crises prevented the Housing Act objectives from being achieved to a considerable level. These crises have made it hard for the households to obtain funds from banks. A considerable number of people are struggling to survive and cannot be able to afford proper housing. Policies need to be put in place to ensure these effects brought in by these crises are overcome and also to ensure that, the same cannot happen again in the future in order for all of the Housing Act objectives to be achieved to the highest level possible. Works Cited Baker, Dean. â€Å"The housing bubble and the financial crisis†. Real-world Economics Review, 1.46 (2008):73 – 81. Print. Bardhan, Ashok. â€Å"Housing and financial crisis in the U.S: cause or symptom†. Vikalpa, 32.3 (2009): 1- 7. Print. Congressional Budget Office, 2010. Fiscal Stress Faced by Local Governments. Washington: Congressional Budget Office. Print. Ellis, Luci. The housing meltdown Why did it happ en in the United States? Basel, Switzerland: Bank for International Settlements, 2008. Print. Francis, Andrea. Affordable housing: the continuing search for solutions : proceedings of the National Housing Trust’s 20th anniversary housing symposium. Kingston, Jamaica : Planning Research Dept., National Housing Trust, 1996. Print. Kolb, Robert W.. The financial crisis of our time. New York: Oxford University Press,2011. Print. Krugman, Paul R.. The return of depression economics and the crisis of 2008. New York: W.W. Norton, 2009. Print. Lybeck, Johan A.. A global history of the financial crash of 2007-2010. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2011. Print. Marshall, John. The financial crisis in the US: key events, causes, and responses. London: House of Commons Library, 2009. Print. Moseley, Fred. The U.S. economic crisis: causes and solutions, April 2009. Web. National Bureau of Economic Research, The effect of economic crisis on American households, 2012. Web. Parker, John. Turmoil in U.S. credit markets recent actions regarding government sponsored entities, investment banks, and other financial institutions : hearing before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Tenth Congress, second session. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 2010. Print. Schwartz, F. Alex. Housing Policy in the United States. Oxford: Taylor Francis, 2012. Print. Tiller, Bo. The subprime crisis and the effects on the U.S banking industry, 2011. Web. Appendix Source: Tiller, Bo. The subprime crisis and the effects on the U.S banking industry, 2011. This research paper on Mortgage and Housing Act in the U.S was written and submitted by user Carissa E. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Critical Thinking Case Study

Critical Thinking Case Study Free Online Research Papers This paper will be on the critical thinking case study assignment, â€Å"Critical Thinking Case Study: Let it Pour -My First Assignment as Executive Assistant.† The paper will be sure to use more than one course reference to support proposed solutions. This is an individual assignment to be complete this critical-thinking case study analysis. For use in completing the individual Case Study assignment, The paper will access the following University of Phoenix Materials located on the â€Å"Critical Thinking Case Study: Let it Pour† Case Study Characteristics: Evaluation Form† Preparing Case Study Analysis† Problem Solving Tools and Techniques† Decision Making Steps† Decision Making Worksheet† This paper has chosen Decision Making Worksheet and Problem Solving Tools and Techniques. Identify the problem. The employees are not adhering to the mission statement. There is not written guidelines for the doctors, nurses, insurance coordinators or any one else to follow. Everyone is doing what he or she feels that they should be doing and everyone is all over the place. There is no formality here. There are no rules or regulations to follow. The departments need to get in order to be able to work with one another. The hospital needs more stream lining in order to work effectively. There is no communication between patients, employees and departments. Define criteria, goals, and objectives. There needs to be policies and producers in place for the employees to follow. There needs to be guide lines for the patients to follow. Rules and regulations have to be set up so that the employees have to follow and so do the patients. We need to get the departments in order so they can work effectively and defiantly. We need some sort of patient’s rights bill that will enable the patients to have their beliefs and the hospital would be able to work with them and no step over the boundaries. The employees need to realize their belief and religious orders are set aside when they come to work. The hospital as a whole needs to get people to work under the management set up and they need to start having more respect for the managers. Evaluate effects of the problem. The effects of the problems are people are not getting their work done because no one is paying attention to the mission statement and it is not being enforced too much. The upper management needs to get a hand on the employees and needs to get patients the right help they need. Communication is null, patients are not getting taking care of. The bills are not getting paid on time because people either do not have insurance or the insurance is not being billed properly, which is causing us to loss out on money or profit. The patients are not being taking care of properly and we are losing our clientele because of our reputation is going down hill, We might have to go up on payments if we do not increase our patients or we will have to start having some lay offs. We will not have enough money to pay our bills or our employees salaried; if this happens we might have to close our doors. Identify causes of the problem. Lack of funds, lack of insurance not being billed right. People don’t have insurance. Doctors are working pro bono and we are losing money. Patients are refusing to come in for treatment because of lack of respect for the organization. The employee’s doe not respect each other or the views of the patients. Need for more policies and producers to put in place. Lack of communication threw out the departments. Employees have a lack of respect for each other and the management. Management has to make some decisions biased on certain items and then see if they are right. The hospital needs to be more organized and work together for the good of the common mission statement. Frame alternatives. One alternative is that we need to get enough funding to make sure we can cover our patient’s bills that can not pay and the other items that might not be included in some money we get for our billing the insurance companies. Gets federal grant money to help in getting some other financing. Have options that the doctors and nurses could have if they do not agree with the parents choices. Have steps in place to make sure we will get then money from the insurance company for item render. Give the patients the right information and arm them with the right information. Have patients sign a patient bill of rights. Get more organization in the departments and make the departments start working together and communicating more efficiently and effectively so productivity will be up and the employee’s moral will get a boost. Evaluate impacts of alternatives. By getting more federal funding we will have money to cover our patients that don’t have any money to cover our cost so we will not get in the red on that part. Giving people the right to choose will show the patients we as a hospital respect their wishes and boost the moral of the patients to come back and the we will get more money for each service we supply. Getting the information on for the insurance company will ensure all money is properly sent to the right departments. By organizing the departments and paper work will make the hospital run more smoothly. By giving the patients choices will give them the opportunity for the patients to feel like they are helping in their care. By running a more Effie cent and more effective offices there will be more working of the departments and employees working to gets the mission statement working. Make the decision. Install guidelines for the new policies and producers and put them in place. Give the employees the choice to work on the patients or they can give them to another doctor that may have different beliefs and not mind do the job for the patients and the law. Installing a new billing and member service program that will run off the computer to keep every item at the finger tips so the hospital can see if there are any problems with the billing or people not paying their bills. Make sure all patients receive a patient bill of rights that explains all the inns and out of the policies and producers that affect the hospital and patients. Install a new patient advocate program to help the patients. Implement decision. When implementing each phase of the new guidelines makes sure the employees are a part of it and make sure the employees know the system very well. We would have the employees in put as to the policies and producers. We would ask their option and suggestion and go from there as to be we need to focus on. We would have each manager talk with their departments and start getting each department to work on their part. We would have each department look at their role in the hospital and then of the other departments and see how each one inters acts with one another. We would also take suggestions as to what employees would like to see and how to keep their moral up. We then as a hospital would take our policies and producers and put them in place. We would still need to keep a firm grip on things, but let the employees help out in their own new items. Then we would ask the patients what they might like to see to help them in assisting them in their stay at the hospita l. We would then need to work with the employees as to patients and get everything balanced so we are getting the correct patients in and getting the information to these patients Measure impacts. We would need to measure the new policies and producers from the old to the new. We could use flip and pie charts, surveys, measure how we are doing against the Federal and state standards. We would take polls form the patients as to see how happy they were with the new service. We would poll the employees to see if they are happy and understand their job better. We could have a suggestions box, monthly meetings in the departments, then every other month for the senior staff and then maybe every three months for the board of directors. We could use graphs and charts and other items to locate how far we have come and how far more we have to go. We could look at other hospitals such as our and compare our quality to theirs. We could use the check list, Visualizing, Cause-and-Effect Diagram with Addition of Cards many other forms of charts to check with our associates. In conclusion this paper is trying to figure out how it can get the hospital into a better place for patients and employees. The hospital is trying to work with their employees and teach them how to get along and work with one another while having respect for the patients. The hospital is trying to get everyone on the same level so the hospital can run smooth and get to the patients and take care of them. This paper show’s one of the many method or idea’s which can be used. Hopefully their employees and patients will agree and make it work. Reference: Preparing Case Study Analysis, Decision Making Steps, Decision Making Worksheet, Critical Thinking Case Study: Let it Pour, M GT/350 Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision M50 Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision M Research Papers on Critical Thinking Case StudyThe Fifth HorsemanArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Research Process Part OneMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaLifes What IfsIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseDefinition of Export QuotasThe Project Managment Office System

Research Paper on the Beatles Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

On the Beatles - Research Paper Example In November of 1960, they met the rock and roller Tony Sheridan, and they became friends. The next year, they met again and this time they performed a song together, â€Å"My Bonnie†, which was really, their coming-out song, so to speak, because performing this song brought them to the attention of Brian Epstein. He was a music entrepreneur and he became their manager. Epstein worked on getting them a record deal and label, but they got rejected by almost every British record company (Spitz, 15-20). One day, Epstein persuaded George Martin to listen to a recording the Beatles had done, and after convincing him that they would one day become very famous, he signed them on with Parlophone. They released their first eight albums with Parlophone. In August of 1962, Pete Best left the Beatles and he was replaced by Ringo Starr as the drummer. He also contributed as a vocalist on a number of successful songs. In January 11, 1963, The Beatles released â€Å"My Bonnie† which wa s an instant hit, and Beatlemania began in England (The Beatles, 23-35). After this, there was almost a non-stop series of concerts and tours for about a year. This was the year for the Beatles. Everybody was talking about them, they were everywhere. They got intense media interest. They had TV shows, press interviews, and a weekly radio show. They appeared on ABC’s TV show â€Å"Thank Your Lucky Stars†, they were on BBC’s Here We Go, and many others. They were literally on the show every day. That year, they had four nationwide tours; they would finish one show and leave immediately for another, or even do two shows in one day. Two of the four tours were led by American Stars, but at almost every show during them, the crowd was wild for the Beatles, which made the Beatles to be embarrassed for the American singers (The Beatles, 37-39). The Beatles hit the United States the next year, early 1964. However, weeks before their arrival, the fateful assassination of President John F. Kennedy took place, and the nation was in grief. This was a critical time in American history, and it affected many Americans, many of whom were the youth. The Beatles wanted to be able to reach out to them through their music. In the span of the next few days they flew over Miami, where they spent time with Ed Sullivan again and got to catch up with him. On the 22nd of February, they left America victorious and arrived at Heathrow Airport, where again they were met by thousands of fans. The same year, the Beatles went back again to America for yet another tour, this time much longer. They performed thirty concerts in twenty three cities, attracting thousands of fans, making millions of dollars, and paving the way for other British groups to wow America (Davies, 15-19). The next year, 1965, Beatlemania still continued on and after having attending a premiere of their film, â€Å"Help†, they went back to America to Shea Stadium where they had their biggest co ncert, attended by fifty five thousand fans. After that successful concert, they met with Elvis Presley and after, flew back to the UK (Miles, 24-25). The next year was one that proved to be rough for the Beatles. Lead singer John Lennon was interviewed where he said â€Å"We are bigger than Jesus. Christianity will vanish and shrink; I don’t know what will go first, rock and roll or Christianity.† The British people didn’t say much of it, but the Americans were shocked. It ignited a lot of anger and hostility and the Beatles were

Industrial ergonomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Industrial ergonomics - Essay Example This paper will look at human error, and how it relates and affects ergonomic issues in the workplace. The human body is prone to get fatigued after continuous, vigorous work. This leaves room for errors to inevitably occur, as a result of fatigue. For example, take a person working in the office behind a computer the entire day. The eyes, wrists, and back are strained significantly from constant use and movement. At the end of the day, this person may not be fully productive due to fatigue. The application of ergonomics comes into play in such scenarios. Devices are designed to ensure that a person’s performance is optimal, greatly reducing the chances of human error, which are a result of fatigue. In the scenario provided, special glasses for the eyes, high articulating keyboard for the wrist and adjustable chairs for the back are some of the features that can be adopted to reduce fatigue and human error (Karwowski, 1997). Ergonomics, therefore, ensures that the employees are safe and, that they perform optimally in any organization. This is done by reducing the amount of errors in their output, thus, strengthening their input. This translates to more productivity since employees will work for longer hours with reduced levels of fatigue. This strategy ensures that companies reduce internals costs and improve working capability, thus, boosting the profits to higher margins. It also helps the company save up money which would otherwise go to employees for compensation in key cases of fatigue and human error. It is highly recommended for companies to embrace this and help their employees in maximizing their potential, which will subsequently boost the company’s objectives (Karwowski,

The Malayan Emergency as seen through the eyes of a British soldier Essay

The Malayan Emergency as seen through the eyes of a British soldier - Essay Example They had just built camp, a temporary shelter for the troops and to make it habitable in the midst of the rubber plantation and coconut plantation. Insurgency was active with a band commanded by one Ming Lee. It was their job to neutralize the insurgents and win back the confidence and cooperation of the local community. The entire operation was composed of prongs. First, they were to conduct patrols in all the estates and villages under the battalion’s jurisdiction. They had to surprise the people in the villages, expecting they might encounter CT disguised as villagers. They had to show to the people that they were the authorities and that the CT was the enemy who was trying to destroy the peace and introduce their communist ideology. Patrols helped as General Templer’s strategy of winning the hearts and minds of the people, to convince them to withdraw their support of Communism, and to enlist their cooperation in ending the Emergency. Ming Lee, the elusive insurgent leader could not be easily caught or defeated, and he and his men were always out there having the support from the community, and convincing the people to support their communist ideology. (Miers 144) Apart from continuous patrols in the villages and in the swampy areas where the CT were usually seen getting their daily sustenance from the village folks, the British soldiers were also to execute prong number 2, which was to interrupt the CT food supplies. This required a well planned operation that needed all the support they could get from the inside and outside of their battalion. Prong number 3 consisted of acquiring the services of an informer who could help in neutralizing or killing the CT and its leader. Cutting the CT food supply was one of the strategies as mentioned in General Templer’s strategy and applied by Miers and his battalion. In doing this, they had to identify how Ming Lee and his people were getting their food. The British

The World Wide Interconnectedness Today Education Essay

The World Wide Interconnectedness Today Education Essay The notion of globalisation and citizenship are the two areas that always been debated long time ago. If we look at the idea itself, it is not new and both are the concepts that always compete each other as it involve the among other things arguments about politics, identity, rights, equality, inequality and so on. However, the term globalisation was first used in 1960s which based on the idea of bringing the world together. In other words, it means every person in the world is the citizen of the world, who has the status and rights of citizens but on a global context rather than city or nation state basis. In reality, globalisation has took place long time ago especially in the term of communication which we sometimes fail to see them as a form of globalisation for instances international time zones, adoption of Gregorian calendar, adoption of seven days a week and international telegraphic and signalling codes. However, the idea of globalisation started to rise and increasingly deb ated in the latter part of the twentieth century, when the citizens are urged to think globally and to act locally. It is the mindset that presents globalisation as something new and dominant. It is also inevitable process of development by individual human which emphasises on the free of individual choice. There are a lot of definitions and point of views on globalisation. Giddens (1990, p.64) describes globalisation as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa. This means that what shapes the locals nowadays may be influenced by the occurring events from different part of the world, resulted from the event of globalisation. In this day and age, the information is very easy to spread. If we look back 20 to 30 years ago, this might be so impossible but with the help of information technology and internet, the world is seemed as being at our fingerti ps. I quite agree with how Giddens defines the term globalisation. In my point of view based on what Giddens statements, globalisation is things that change our everyday life which we cannot see because it is a hidden process which the effects mostly can come out in long term. However, I believe that it is inevitable, can affect us positively as well as negatively. Refer back to the definition that Giddens come out, positively, poor and underdeveloped countries has started to open their eyes and slowly they can see how outside world looks like. Rich and developed countries start to see how the unlucky sides of the world and help them to lighten their burden for example in Africa and Palestine. This is good as what shapes humans social relations with others can be the situation that happens miles away from them. Globalisation has significant impacts on educational policies, structures and practices in countries around the world, though these have been differentially experienced. The driving forces of these changes in education have been economic, political, technological as well as cultural. One of the obvious changes is the global citizenship education which lots of countries in the world adopt this in their education policies and practices. In England, Citizenship Education became part of the English primary schools National Curriculum in September 2000. It is then introduced across the curriculum in secondary schools from September 2002 and will include a global dimension (QCA, 2000). The key concepts of global citizenship are said to include the idea of sustainable development, social justice and the concept of interdependence enhanced by globalisation. It also involves of understanding conflict and conflict resolution, human rights as well as responsibilities (Globalisation and Citizens hip edu. Jack demaine). There are lots of critiques on global citizenship education as a new reform of education. However, many beliefs that national citizenship is now being weakened and a new reform of education are necessary to cope with the developing world nowadays. Global citizenship education is said to be concerned with specific issues and underlying values and attitudes. It urged people to think and use their brain by questioning and exploring their own and others values within community and different parts of the world. It encourages people to think and act globally, making them to see themselves as growing up in the global context, no more thinking only in their society and nation state. In fact, there is emphasises on the global dimension to the food they eat, the clothes they wear, other pupils from different parts of the world in their schools and community (Brownie, 2001). Basically, global citizenship curriculum is designed to develop students knowledge and understanding globally. During the participation, their skill of enquiry and communication will be developed and responsible action appropriate prior to their age will be involved. The requirements are to be met in a variety of ways across the curriculum and also will be embedded in teaching methodology and school ethos (Jack Demaine). Skills, knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of global citizenship education can be developed across the secondary curriculum in many subjects areas such as PSHE and citizenship session. In subject areas such as Science, Mathematics, and English, the knowledge and understanding can be developed through the topics, methodology, activities as well as relation to the appropriate concepts. For example given by Demaine (2002), in English, students may compare the reporting of a world issues in different newspapers, and on the Internet, and critically assess the reports for bias and varying points of view. While in Mathematics, concepts such as mean, mode and median can be used to investigate average wages around the world. World trade, the idea of fair trade as well as the impact of global relations on the lives of individuals along a trade route can be explored in subject Geography. In addition Walkington (1999) demonstrates how geography and global citizenship education both have complimentary aims and provides detailed accounts of classroom strategies which have been used by the teachers that have successfully taught global citizenship through subject Geography. She then agrees that students can acquire appropriate useful knowledge, skills and understandings through the enquiry-based, participatory approaches to citizenship education. Gilbert (1996) argues that students appear to be well disposed to discussion around the question of the environment. In global citizenship education module, particular emphasises is given to United Nations Agenda 21, an environmental plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organisations of the UN and national governments. Students can develop awareness on the global issues and deeply understand the concepts. Sustainable development, one of the well-known issues increasingly debate globally is one of the key topics discussed in global citizenship education. Students can be encouraged to explore the local action in response to global issues by investigating local plans and priorities for sustainable development. In this module, they can learn and understand the ideas of sustainable development work and their effect on different aspects of local and national government planning and policy decision. Teachers are encouraged to collaborate in order to help students t o learn how citizens can contribute to local decision that will influence their environment and lifes quality. Additionally, the concept of global citizenship education has been linked with the offer of helping humanity. Students are increasingly aware about the human rights, social justice and global issues such as war and peace. Some secondary schools in certain countries like England have already developed their global citizenship curriculum by becoming involved in long-term projects and school-linking particularly in the EU (Demaine, 2002). They have developed strong citizenship elements within their school ethos, policies and curriculum. Some schools also encourage their students to take part in decision-making on anti-bullying and anti-racism policy. However, there are questions to be answered about the possible effectiveness of school-based citizenship education programme. The effectiveness depends on the teacher and the students, as well as school institutions itself. It is essential to motivate teachers that teach the programme by providing enough professional training and excellent materials for the teaching. For the students, the lesson should be integrated with fun and interesting activity whilst the aims of the teaching still can be achieved at the end. Looking at the differences in developed and underdeveloped countries, global citizenship education takes place mostly in school in develop countries. This education programme still seems strange in underdeveloped countries, making that it only benefits by the rich people in rich countries. People in poor countries still left behind and in my point of view, this idea of global citizenship education only cater certain kind of people, leaving behind the basic intention of globalisation, that is bringing the people around the world together. In my point of view, global citizenship education is a good approach to increasingly interconnected world we live right now. Globalisation is an issue that does really exist and despite the fact that I aware that I hold the view of negative things about it, it may come with positive things too. In fact, I really support the implementation of global citizenship education in most countries as it opens up students mind on the global issues, encourage them to address global issues such environmental and war, as well as preparing themselves for global challenges of the future. Long time ago, education is believed to be concerned mainly in producing people with knowledge and skill and their well-being. Education can only affordable by high class and high status people. Later then, as political systems and boundaries and demarcation lines differentiating one country from the other were identified, it can be clearly seen that there was governments involvement in education through the establishment of the public schools. The reason for such an involvement seen by the government was to have a good grip of its citizens. Having held on its citizens, the government was able to have a common ideology inculcated and transferred to its citizens. The same concepts have been applied to the implementation global citizenship education, but in different perspective obviously. The idea and concept of globalisation is delivered and transferred to the people across the world through education. It was thought as the means to enhance the individuals cohesiveness with others gl obally. Such an effort is expected to bring unity among citizens across the world, for having a common goal in the hearts and minds of its citizens. Looking at how globalisation is so powerful in influencing people in various types of field such as economic and political, it also has its strength in affecting the education across the world. One of the obvious effects of globalisation is the emergence of technology-mediated learning which has revolutionised the teaching and learning process. In the era of information technology, explosion of knowledge and information helps the globalisation in term of education. The invention of computers, internet and technology-mediated learning such as through the use of CD, webpage and so on helps in the spreading of information and knowledge to millions around the world. Compare to 10 to 20 years ago, it is difficult to access knowledge and information from outsides, and more dependable on limited books and journals available in local libraries. Nowadays, through online and digital libraries, people especially researchers and educationalist can get access to information and knowledge from boo ks and research works done in the other parts of the world without having the need to travel to the required places. This certainly important as it make the access to education easier and save so much time to do the work. In addition, through the use of the internet, distant learning is now possible and accessible. People especially students can access knowledge twenty-four hours in a day and learn anytime they want to, without having to attend the lectures in the lecture halls. In fact, in completing this course work, I do not have to travel around the world to see how the process of globalisation takes place. Searching information from online journal articles and books internet has already helped me a lot to make progress in this work. Naturally, any invention and development has its positive and negative sides. Although this scientific and innovative way of learning has made people lives a lot easier and better by getting access to knowledge and information fast and efficient, we still can see the downsides of this situation. People have becoming more isolated from the world they use to share with others. They made people learn in a more personalised way in which the effect can be seen through the cut off interaction with the community and society around them. In fact, it drives them more towards achieving success and material gains for the benefit of individual rather than for society. Fromm (1995) has predicted this effect of the globalisation on human individuals a long time ago and he states that: Modern man is alienated from himself, from his fellow men, and from nature. He has been transformed into a commodity, experiences his life forces as an investment which must bring him the maximum profit obtainable under existing market conditions. (Fromm, 1995, p. 67) From the quotes, it is obviously similar to what happen nowadays. People believe that they have developed educationally and economically, and feel confidence that they are being modern enough. They slowly isolate themselves from their society and surroundings. Anything they have done focused and aimed more on gaining maximum profit for them. Another aspect that is missing in the personalised form of learning is the interaction with the teacher and lecturer. Face-to-face interaction during teaching and learning between teacher and students is significant to the students. This is because they can get acquainted with the teacher by physically being present in front of him. In addition, information and knowledge can be more meaningful when they are properly explained by the teacher. Unlike online and distant teaching programme, even though it is easier in terms of accessibility, certain kind of things such as understanding of the knowledge may be difficult to obtain. This might be becaus e of lack of tangible communication where body language, tone of voice, personality, and emotion are absent in virtual learning. Moving along the process of globalisation, education is seen as a tool of human capital development. Economists view education as both consumer and capital good because it offers utility to a consumer and also serves as an input into the production of other goods and services. Human capital theory emphasises how education increases the productivity and efficiency of the workers by increasing the level of cognitive stock of economically productive human capability which is a product of innate abilities and investment in human beings. The provision of formal education is seen as a productive investment in human capital, which the proponents of the theory have considered as equally or even more equally worthwhile than that of physical capital (Olaniyan and Okemakinde, 2008, p. 158). One of the most obvious examples of the application of human capital theory is that there are increasing demands of private education and other factors determining individual demand for education. Many of th e developing nations have realised that the principal mechanism for developing human knowledge is the education system. Therefore, they invest huge sum of money on education not only as attempt to impact knowledge and skills to individuals but also to impart values, ideas, attitudes and aspirations which may be in the nations best developmental interest. Consequently, most countries have put high budgets on education including for development and better quality of education. Many private and international schools are built and they are believed to provide better quality of education rather than standard type of school. Parents that can afford to send their children to such schools choose private and international schools for their children to receive better education, thus providing them with better future and good jobs with higher wages. It is also worth noting that the causal relationship between education and earnings has important implications for public policy. If human capital theorists are correct in arguing that the education is the primary cause of higher earnings, then it obviously make sense to provide better quality of education to low-income groups of society to reduce poverty and the degree of income quality. The next effect of globalisation on education can be seen through the commodity of education especially in higher education. Nowadays, the increasingly popular trend in education is the global trade of higher education in which receives lots of demand across the world. Higher education is seen as a medium for making money for certain organisation. More expensive education is introduced such as private university and international school. It is true that some cases, they provide better quality for learning but the price to be paid is too much. Those comes from rich family can afford the education but what will happen for the middle and low class family who could not afford it? Globalisation emphasises the idea of bringing people together, making the status all people the same but the reality is because of competition among individual people, education is the thing that you have to pay in order to get it. The more money you willing to pay, the higher the quality of education you will g et, that what most of people nowadays believe in. Same goes to the schooling trend which is getting popular now, that is international school. The same concept as the concept of globalisation applies to international school which is bringing the people together across the world. It globalised in terms of content learning and students inside. Students share different cultures and values, but rarely we can see they share the same class and social status. Usually students come from high class and social status as we know the fees to enter this type of school is far too high. The curriculum usually uses International Baccalaureate which is claimed as a prestigious qualification. Here, we can see the proof of inequality of education being rise. It is obvious for most of the cases, education is seen as commodity, a tool for making money, rather than for public good. There are competition to get into schools where the education is considered to be worth the students or their parents money. Moore (2000) argues that investing in education is same like investing in the stock market. People have to wait long enough for the outcomes. Most of us have a mindset that we can get a better job with high income of we attend better schools. In other words, a certified level of education is a commodity, means that it is useful and can be turned into commercial advantage. Increasing in outcome-oriented form of education. Knowledge for its own sake seems to have lost its currency in a world where outcomes have become the goal of tertiary education. (Mondon, 2010) Babalola (2003, cited in Olaniyan and Okemakinde, 2008 2) states that the contribution of education to economic growth and development occurs through its ability to increase productivity of an existing labour force in various ways. In Malaysia for example, the Malaysian government has made many efforts to make Malaysia as a centre of education excellence in the region and to supply the industry with the relevant human resources.

What the Public Should Know about Science :: Argumentative Persuasive Papres

What the Public Should Know about Science The public is uninformed about the role of science in their everyday lives. If the masses are not aware of the positive contributions that have been made through scientific discoveries, they will not be very supportive when funding requests are made. Many of the scientific discoveries completed by scientists today may seem like a waste of time and money since the fruits of their findings may not be realized until years later. In order for the public to accept science as a positive contributor, they must be taught to understand the advancements made by science and the processes necessary to achieve them. The public most also be given an understandable explanation of how these advancements improve their lives. Not all scientific discoveries made by the scientific community were the expected outcome of carefully planned research activities. This position can be validated through an Internet article written by Larry Gedney titled "Unexpected Scientific Discoveries are Often the Most Important." Mr. Gedney feels that it is important to provide the researcher with more leeway on how funding is to be spent. A quote from his article states, " to ask a scientist what his or her next discovery will be is to misinterpret the scientific method." (1) Accidental scientific discoveries have been made throughout the history of mankind. Some clear examples are that of the X-Ray, Penicillin, and the principle of vaccination. In 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered that he could see through his skin to the bones when putting his hand between a barium coated screen and an electrical discharge tube. As most of us know, this discovery has universalized the way that doctors perform their daily routines. Doctors no longer have to depend on their innate ability to feel a patient's arm to determine if it is broken or fractured. They can simply perform an X-Ray of the arm and within minutes have results back that clearly indicate if the bones in the arm are broken or fractured and the severity of the brake. Another example of an unexpected scientific discovery was made by Alexander Fleming, a bacteriologist from Saint Mary's Hospital located in London. In his cluttered laboratory he noticed that a culture dish that had bacteria on it had been inundated with mold, which blew in from an open window. After observing the dish under the microscope, he saw that the bacteria, which were surrounded by the mold, had died.

Rizal as Inspiration (Reflection)

Rizal as Inspiration By J. Arcilla ( Reflection) There is nothing wong to study Rizal’s works and doings. For me, it’s a good thing to know and understand his history. Rizal became a hero bacause of his accomplishments not because he was made to be. In his writings, he mentioned characters and scenarios related in reality. It focuses his ideals and misery in our country. Indeed, he is an inspiration but only some people sees that. Many fiipino knows Rizal is our natonal hero and being a hero is what they knew about him and that is wrong.It is more than that. It is not enough only knowing him as a hero. We should also understand and learn something fron him. Fighting for a freedom of a country is not a simple thing. I know you will needed so much courage, knowledge and a prescence of mind. Like him, he used the power of his mind to fight for good and that’s we should try to imitate from him. The social cancer Rizal mentoned still exist today and we are the one liv ing in present so I think we should at same as him. But not literally same. Being patriotic is also what made me inspire him.His selfless love in our country is remarkable. The values he has is also what we need to have. He inspired readers through his words. His real words. Rizal has become the constant model that inspires man and woman across the land to dream and work for its realization no matter the cost is brings for the sake of nationhood and promoting the liberty for the people. He also proven education is the answer to our struggle nation. So we student should value education because in the future we are the one who will get benefit from it.That’s why I will strive hard to get my diploma beacuse I believe someday I can also do remarkable things for our next generation. Education will helped us broadened our minds, so that we’re not confined to our countries and comfort zones anymore. We aren’t trapped in our small worlds, instead we have come out of our shells and begun to explore and learn new things about the world. It makes us aware of our rights in the society. It also grants us the power to never be enslaved, either by thoughts or actions.

Management issues facing small tourism enterprises (ste’s) A case of german concentration camps The WritePass Journal

Management issues facing small tourism enterprises (ste’s) A case of german concentration camps Abstract Management issues facing small tourism enterprises (ste’s) A case of german concentration camps ). Many governments have avidly supported STEs, although it is only in the recent years that emphasis has been placed on the importance of having right skill set for managing such enterprises (Stephen 2012). Nonetheless, STEs play a major role in most countries. As argued by Page et al (1999), STEs are the cornerstone of tourism development in local economies. Buhalis (2006) further explains that STEs contribute to a considerable proportion of economic production and provides employment to a large number of people especially those located in the peripheral and insular regions. However, a range of management problems and issues face small tourism enterprises. Some of these issues have been identified by Ken Mountinho (2000). The two authors suggested that small tourism enterprises are confronted with a number a number of issues including political changes, competition, environmental concerns, new consumer trends, globalization, fragmentation of markets and economic integration. Carter (1996) argues that irrespective of the relative size of the Small business sector, the management issues faced by STE in many countries are enormous. However, these may differ depending on the STE product. Also many of the tourism SMEs tend to have a limited knowledge of the business environment. Many of them tend to have little experience of the business environment. What is more interesting with SMEs is that their sources of venture capital are varied, with a significant proportion coming from families (Stephen 2012). STEs are undercapitalized, product led and family owned such that management function is only confined to a few key individuals (Stephen 2012). These small enterprises also tend to have a short-term planning horizon and their marketing functions are peripheral to the management task of running the business (Stephen 2012). Many of these characteristics are borne out in the studies by Thomas (2007) and Shaw Williams (2002). The challenges facing STE’s necessitate the need for more strategic management schemes. Without proper management, tourism development is bound to decline. To overcome these challenges, STEs need to harness managerial skills. Management of STEs must adjust to all sorts of changes to ensure sustainability of tourism activities and a continuing outward flow of services (Poitevin 2012). Management challenges relevant to German concentration camps One of the management challenges that is particularly relevant to German concentration camps is pressure to commercialize developments. Many decades after the end of the Second World War, concentration camps have transformed into tourist attraction sites and are facing demands from tourists for associated facilities and commercial development (Ritchie et al. 2003). This changing nature of concentration camps from being memorial sites to tourist attractions has presented management with a significant dilemma. Managers of concentration camps are faced with a dilemma between either preserving the site as a memorial site or developing it for commercial tourism (Ritchie et al. 2003). This management concern has further been made even more complicated by the reduction of government funding for many of the former German concentration camps (Ritchie et al. 2003). Dachau concentration camp is one such camp site which has been facing increasing pressure for commercial development of its facilities. This memorial site presents the history of Dachau concentration camp from 1933 to 1945, illustrating how it came into being during the Nazi era (Johannes 2004). The Dachau concentration camp was first developed as a training centre before it became a model camp for Hitlers Secret service and a training ground for the extermination camps of Treblinka, Majdanek, and Auschwitz (Johannes 2004). Since its opening as a memorial site in 1965, this former German camp site has not undergone any renovations or commercial development. There seems to be no retail or ancillary service such as restaurant or a cafà © (Ritchie et al. 2003). Cinema video technology and traditional static exhibits with poor orientation and layout are used (Ritchie et al. 2003). Such settings could lead to mindlessness as visitor connections and interest of the Holocaust may wane (Ritchie et al. 2003). However, half of the museum was closed for renovation as of late 2001 (Ritchie et al. 2003). The reconstruction of the museum is expected to provide a substantial improvement to the setting factors such as orientation, display and interaction. Such improvements are expected to provide more mindful experiences to the visitors. However, only time can tell whether the renovations of Dachau camp memorial will enhance tourist experience or whether such commercial developments will detract from the sites authenticity (Ritchie et al. 2003). In transforming the memorial sites into tourist attractions, managers of these sites have also faced conflicting political, religion and personal ideologies (Jangula 2004). The transformation of the site to a tourist attraction has generated controversy with ethical concerns arising over the commodification of such sites associated with death, war and tragedies. But this ethical concern is debateable.   These memorial sites would be meaningless if no one was to visit. We derive the significance of such sites from their explanatory inscriptions and knowledge that we learn through visiting such sites (Jangula 2004).   It is impossible to discern whether the Dachau camp site or the Auschwitz would retain their significance if no one was allowed to visit (Jangula 2004). Another major challenge facing management at these memorial sites has been the changing nature of relationship between commemorative agents, owing to political and socio-economic changes (Jangula 2004). It is important to note that numerous stakeholders are involved in the process of orientation of memorial sites with the most obvious group being the victims. The local and regional authorities are also involved in the orientation, often funding operations at memorials. Managing this complex relationship between the various stakeholders remains a major challenge in these former German Camp sites. Whilst the managers of these sites are granted the legal and legislative authority to manage the memorials and the ties between the locals and tourists, managing such relationship is often made more complex by changes in political, social and economic environments (Jangula 2004). Competition is yet another management challenge facing operators at these sites. In a world of information age where the Holocaust has become a well-known event, commemorative agencies are challenged by external groups that seek to transmit the legacy of these sites through different medias (Jangula 2004). For example, movies have re-enacted or have made attempts to re-enact history. Works of such popular culture compete with official agencies in Germany who have infinite mandates to commemorate such sites (Jangula 2004). Additionally, the managers of these sites face additional competition from other agents abroad who transmit the legacy of the Holocaust within religious, cultural and commercial realms (Jangula 2004). Recreation of commemorative aspects of such sites is made easier by the sites historic relevance. The significance of the Holocaust is comprehended by people and cultures across the globe (Ateljevic Stephen 2012). The site is more than just a domestic historical site as people from all over the globe tour the site. Extent to which tourist operators have addressed these concerns Given these challenges, we sought to investigate the extent to which tour operators at Dachau concentration camp have addressed these concerns. In addressing the ethical concern, we found that the management provided for guided tours (Ritchie et al. 2003). Guided tours are available in different languages including German, English, Spanish, and French. During the tour, visitors are reminded of the historical significance of the site as a place of memory and pilgrimage and the importance of behaving with respect while at these sites. However, despite such guided tours, there is still an ethical concern over the commodification of such tourist sites. Many of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust are still infuriated and deeply concerned that the death and horror of their brethrens is treated as a commodity and sold to tourists (Jangula 2004). Some commentators have in fact pointed out that some of the tours offer little educational component and that visitors often film, photograph and chat in these memorial sites as if they were in a zoological garden (Sharpley Stone 2012). Responding to the pressure of commercialization of developments, we found that operators of Dachau concentration camp had made renovations to the concentration camp. The reconstruction of the site had been made with the aim of improving the setting factors such as display, orientation and interaction; and ultimately improving the tourist experience. But whilst some challenges seem to have been addressed, majority of these concerns remain largely addressed. To address the issue of competition, management would need to explore on the visitor motivation to such sites associated with tragedies. Understanding the motivations behind such visitations can be useful in further promoting the site. For example, if education is found to be the key motivator, managers would need to focus on the teaching aspects in order to promote the site (Yuill 2003). This could be as simple as interpretive design or as complex as offering additional services such as workshops, seminars and lectures (Yuill 2003). Site interpretation can be better designed to cater to the visitors needs. Should commemoration be the key motivating factor, management would need to ensure a quiet environment for contemplation (Yuill 2003). However, where visitors are motivated by nostalgia, then highly sensory exhibits would be best suited to these visitors (Yuill 2003). Understanding visitor motivations would help management to tailor services to meet their needs thereby increasing visitation which in turn would generate higher revenues for the site. The revenues generated can then be used to preserve the site. To address the complexity of balancing the concerns of the locals, visitors, entrepreneurs, politicians and other stakeholders involved; there is need for managers to have a right skill set for managing such relationships. Operators of such concentration camps need to harness managerial skills. They must adjust to all sorts of changes to ensure sustainability of tourism activities and a continuing outward flow of services (Poitevin 2012). Conclusion It is clear that the operators managing these sites are confronted with a number of management issues including issues of commercialization, competition, interpretation, authenticity and ethical concerns over commodification of such sites. Managers are confronted with the challenge of providing an accepted interpretation as far as victims, survivors, friends and relatives of victims the Holocaust and historians are concerned. Balancing the concerns of the locals, visitors, entrepreneurs, politicians and other stakeholders involved pose another challenge to managers at these sites. Managers are also under pressure from tourists to commercialize developments in order to enhance tourist experience. They face a significant dilemma between either preserving the site as a memorial site or developing it for commercial tourism. The task of site managers is further challenged by additional external agencies that seek to transmit the legacy of these sites via different Medias. In overcoming these challenges, tour operators must harness managerial skills and adjust to all sorts of changes to ensure sustainability of tourism activities and a continuing outward flow of services. The challenges necessitate the need for more strategic management schemes. Reference Ateljevic, J. and Stephen, J.J.P., 2012. Tourism and entrepreneurship. London: Routledge publishers Buhalis, D., 2006. Progress in tourism management: twenty years on and 10 years after the internet: the state of eTourism research, Elsevier Jangula, C., 2004. The holocaust and dark tourism. The University of British Columbia Johannes, N., 2004. What was it like in the concentration camp at Dachau? Munich: Trustees for the Monument of Atonement in the Concentration Camp at Dachau. Ken, P. and Moutinho. L., 2000. The Marketing Environment for Travel and Tourism. In: Strategic Management in Tourism, edited by Luiz Moutinho. Wallingford: CABI Publishing, Pp17-38. Page, S.J., Forer, P. and Lawton, G.R., 1999. ‘Small business development and tourism: Terra incognita?’ Tourism Management, 20, 435-459. Poitevin, M., 2012. Following Antarctics tourism product: the general management challenges and issues facing Small Tourism Enterprises (STEs). [viewed on 2nd July 2013] available from http://interestmeonit.weebly.com/1/post/2012/7/following-antarctics-tourism-product-the-general-management-challenges-and-issues-facing-small-tourism-enterprises-stes.html Ritchie, B.W., Carr, N., Cooper, C.P., 2003. Managing educational tourism. Channel View Publications. Sharpley, R. and Stone, P., 2012. ‘Management issues in dark tourism attractions: The case of ghost tours in Edinburgh and Toledo’. Journal of Unconventional Parks, Tourism Recreation Research. Vol.4 (1) Shaw, G. and Williams, A., 2009. Knowledge transfer and management in tourism organisations: An emerging research agenda. Elsevier Tourism Management, Vol. 30 (3), pp. 325-335 Shaw, G., and Williams, A., 1998. ‘Entrepreneurship, small business culture and tourism development’. In: The Economic Geography of the Tourism Industry, London: Routledge, Stephen, P., 2012. Tourism management, London: Routledge Publishers Thomas, R., 2007. ‘Tourism partnerships and small firms: Power, participation and partition’. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 8 (1), pp.37-43. Yuill, S.M., 2003. ‘Dark tourism: understanding visitor motivation at sites of death and disaster’. Texas AM University

Marriott International

Marriott International Marriott is an international business venture, which deals with offering hospitality services to its clients. It has several business units in various countries around the world. Marriott International has been in operation for about 60 years. This has enabled it to spread its wings to 73 countries with over 3700 hotel units. It offers over twenty different brands of hotels, some of which are franchises for instance J W Marriott, The Ritz Carlton and Marriott Executive Apartments.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Marriott International specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Most of its customers are business people running business errands in multinational ventures. Mr. Marriott who is the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and proprietor of this group of hotels has actualized a myriad of business strategies that would not only increase the profitability of his businesses but also attract as many customers as possible. A business or corporate strategy is a long term plan of operation that directs all the activities of an organization, and aimed towards achieving competitive advantage over its competitors. Strategizing also helps a business develop proper ways to utilize its resources within a challenging business environment. Additionally, it helps a business to meet the diverse needs of its stakeholders for instance; customers, board of directors, neighboring community and government agencies. Marriott International began as a sole proprietorship formerly owned by his family several years ago, but has developed over the years into a world class group of hotels because of these strategies. The strategies employed include corporate strategies; this can be defined as a future business plan focused at improving the general scope and purpose of the business so that stakeholder’s expectations are met. Secondly, there is the business unit strategy; this is concerned with monitoring how a business competes in the market, its customer expectations and exploiting new business opportunities. Third, there is a type of strategy that deals with organizing each part of the business such as how the various business units are managed. This strategy is called operational strategy. Marriott International uses this strategy to run its various groups of hotels since they are focused on serving specific customer needs. Marriott International uses three main components to manage the selected strategies. A thoroughly selected corporate strategy just like that used by Marriott International should have a section for strategic analysis, strategic choice and strategic implementation. Strategic analysis entails conducting a Strength Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis of the business in order to determine its operational capabilities.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition to identifying favorable internal business factors that will steer the business towards high profit margins, external factors such as threat of entry of new competitors into the market are identified. The market is then segmented as it is the case of Marriott International. The management of Marriott’s group of hotels appreciates the fact that there are various customers with diverse needs. There are those people who will prefer being accommodated in executive hotel suits while there are those who cannot sustain a luxurious lifestyle. This strategy is called market segmentation where the management of a business decides to fragment the market according to customer convenience. This is why the Marriott groups of hotels run different hotel brands. After segmenting the market the strategic manager develops a different pricing strategy for all its diverse customers under the 4P’s of international business management. The P’s include place, p roduct, price and promotion. All these factors are then interrelated one after the other in such a way that it achieves not only efficiency but also effectiveness. The process of strategic choice involves selecting strategy options while considering the stakeholders expectations. Implementation poses the greatest challenge to many organizations since it requires translation of paper work into action. Marriott International History Marriott International was established in 1927 by Willard Marriot and his bride, Alice. The two started by putting a beer stand in Washington D.C. The beer stand could only accommodate nine people at the start of its operations. It was named â€Å"Hot Shoppe† where they prepared hot food substances like tacos, tamales and chili.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Marriott International specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These food items were mainly served to clients during the period of winter months. In 1929, Marriott International was officially incorporated as Hot Shoppes, inc. It experienced fast growth. In 1953, the company was listed as a public company. It laid its competitive advantage in world markets on product diversification (Hoover 2002). The company opened Twin Bridges Marriott located in Arlington, Virginia; this was the first hotel opened by the company. With its fast growing pace, Twin Bri dges Marriott went international in 1966; this happened after the company took over the running of an airline catering kitchen in Venezuela. It later changed name to Marriott Corporation in 1967. The company later engaged in series of takeovers which enabled it to grow into a billion dollar corporation. In the year 1998, Marriott International was listed in the stock market as an independent public company after which it started to focus its attention on business and leisure lodging. To ensure success in such a new venture, the company sold its superior living facilities in 2002. Marriott International continues to diversify its operations. Nonetheless, leadership of Marriott International started with the two founders, Marriot and Alice. Today, the company’s top management entails six executives operating at senior level; it has also thirty six corporate officers (Hoover 2002). Vision and Mission of Marriott International Company The vision of the Marriott International Comp any is to be the leader in the global lodging industry; it aspires to be the world leader in providing excellent services in the hospitality industry. In order to achieve this vision, the company strives to provide the best services in the world within the hotel and lodging industry. The mission statement of the company affirms that company’s commitment in being the best and provider of excellent lodging and food services. It achieves this by treating its workers in the best way ever so that they can offer extra-ordinary services to the company’s customers (Brotherton and Wood, 2008).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Competition The hotel is exceedingly disjointed. The competition is mainly based on the quality of the available rooms, service provision among others. Other factors that determine competition level include the presence of global distribu tion system, prices charged on various products and facilities and any other innovation that may come into the industry. It is important to note that Marriott International already operates in sixty eight nation of the world. This makes it possible for the company to offer its services to a large number of customers across the globe. However, it must be acknowledged that the company faces stiff competition from similar companies operating in the same industry both locally and abroad. Many of the company’s competitors are already spread across eight or more countries. This means that the competitors are enjoying a wider customer base than Marriott International. The main competitors to Marriott International include: Starwood Hotels: this group of hotels provides similar services to clients. The hotel already has 297 hotels in Europe alone. Besides, it operates in countries found in the American continent, Middle East and parts of Africa. It is therefore evident that the Starw ood Hotels get more revenues than the Marriott International due to its large base of operation spread across the continent (Abrahams 2007). Choice Hotels International: this is a group of hotels with international franchises totaling right over five thousand hotels. These franchises operate under different brands such as Comfort Inn, Sleep Inn and Cambria Suite amongst others. This company is also bigger than the Marriott International and definitely enjoys higher level of revenues than Marriott International. Intercontinental Hotels: this is deemed the largest hotel in the world judging by the number of rooms it has. It operates in more than a hundred countries across the world. This therefore implies that it is the largest competitor to the Marriott International (Yu 1999). Strategies used by Marriott International â€Å" Marriott International has put in place sales structure that will ensure it remains top in the provision of hotel products in the industry. The sales initiativ e is customer-centered and it aims at making sales simply, effective and efficient; this also helps the company to establish its roots deeper into the untapped market segments.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Marriott International specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The strategy enables the customers to operate at one principal contact where he or she can get all product brands. In this way, the Marriott International has managed to meet all the customer needs within a centralized point of purchase. Beside, Marriott International relies on research to establish real customer needs. The company realized the rising level of complexity and number of channels through which customers in the industry secure rooms and accommodation or meetings; to solve these challenges, the Marriott International have come up with ways, through research, to improve the efficiency of its services to customers. It is important to note that t he company does research by involving those who are either directly or indirectly in contact with customers or clients. This includes interviewing sales leaders who have one-on-one engagement with clients, travel managers, meeting planners and sales associates. Moreover, the research is undertaken both internally and externally (Reid and Bojanic, 2009). The Marriott International also uses the strategy of evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. This is by obtaining data from various facets of the company and doing accurate evaluation. As a result of both internal and external research the company has established more clear roles for its employees and staff members so that customers get specific services and or assistances from specific company employees or staff members. Furthermore, Marriott International has come up with strategic idea of establishing regional sales offices to offer more effective services to its customers by organizing individual accounts. Internal audit and ext ernal audits Businesses are affected by both internal and external factors; the effect is either negative or positive. Internal factors are factors that a business can control while external factors are factors beyond the control of a single business. Internal audits To gather as much information as possible, the management undertakes the process with as many competent employees as possible. It should also analyze both published and unpublished data which will assist it in appreciating the need the prevailing conditions. The following process is followed;Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Gathering of information Testing data validity Interpolating and analyzing information gotten Making strategic decision based on the information gotten The following are some of the parameters found by internal audits; The company has a pool of experienced human resource who is employed on a track record. It has employed a high level of technology in all its processes where it ensures that efficiency is facilitated. Corporate customers require fast and effective services since they are busy; to attain this company has embarked on an efficient technology. Financial Ratio Analysis Ratio Status Gross Profit Margin 17.2% EBIT Margin -1.4% EBITDA Margin 11.3% Pre-Tax Profit Margin -2.6% Current Ratio 1.3 Quick Ratio 0.5 Leverage Ratio 8.2 Receivables Turnover 13.0 Inventory Turnover 5.5 Asset Turnover 1.3 Revenue to Assets 1.3 Return on Invested Capital -5.8% Return on Assets -2.8% Debt/Common Equity Ratio 2.93 Price/Book Ratio (Price/Equity) 10.70 Bo ok Value per Share $2.95 Total Debt/ Equity 3.06 Long-Term Debt to Total Capital 0.75 SGA as % of Revenue 5.9% RD as % of Revenue 0.0% Receivables per Day Sales $29.49 Days CGS in Inventory 66 Working Capital per Share $1.95 Cash per Share $0.33 Cash Flow per Share $-0.17 Free Cash Flow per Share $-1.73 Tangible Book Value per Share $-1.53 Price/Cash Flow Ratio -190.7 Price/Free Cash Flow Ratio 18.4 Price/Tangible Book Ratio -20.88 Internal factor evaluation matrix Internal factor evaluation matrix is a strategic management instrument used in auditing major strengths weaknesses of a company in major operational areas of a business entity. This instrument also provides away of linking the operations areas. Internal strengths Weight Rating Weighted score Largest product provider in the industry 5% 3 0.15 Supplies main airline customers 15% 2 0.30 Good image and reputation 5% 3 0.15 Easily accessible by customers 10% 3 0.30 Strength of manage ment team 6% 4 0.24 Account of limited customer complaints 4% 3 0.12 Rising cash flow 4% 1 0.04 Loyalty of employees and staff 4% 3 0.12 Financial ratios 5% 4 0.20 Internal weaknesses Flooded market 10% 1 0.10 diminutive diversification 8% 2 0.16 Sensitive to raw material prices 15% 2 0.30 Nonexistence f strategic partner 4% 1 0.04 Limited access to global market 5% 1 0.04 Total 100% 2.26 1-major weakness 2-Minor weakness 3-minor strength 4-major strength External Audit CPM-Competitive Matrix Competitive Matrix for the Marriott Company is an array of major competitors of the company. An external audit addresses five area, they are; Economic factors Social and cultural factors Political/governmental structures Technology and innovations and Competitive forces The world is experiencing a rapid technological change; this is brought about by the use of computers in different sectors of a business. Marriot has benefited from the changes; for example the compan y has a website where a customer can log in and communicate directly to the company. These services are available for 24 hours in seven days. In line with the same, the company has embraced computerized marketing and advertisement where it sells its products all over the world through the internet. Internal processes are also facilitated The model of management has changed with increased enlightened people; customers are continuously demanding for better treatments form companies in the way they are served and the production processes involved. Currently social corporate responsibility management, ethical business products and customer care services have taken center stage. The company has embarked on corporate social responsibilities, it practices in environmental management exercises like tree planting, engage in clean technology among others. In the times of global financial crisis, the government of United States is increasingly adopting laws and regulation aimed at ensuring tha t business are conducted effectively, standards have been reviewed and compliance with the treads is important. Factors Marriott International Accor Hilton Hotels Intercontinental Hotels Low product prices 5 3 3 2 Superior quality 3 4 4 4 Flexible products 5 3 3 3 exclusive features 5 2 2 3 Timely product delivery 4 5 4 5 Total 22 17 16 17 External Factor Evaluation Matrix Opportunities Weight Rating Weighted score Industry consolidation 10% 4 0.04 Increased in clients 12% 3 0.36 Expansion opportunities 13% 4 0.52 Reduced operation cost 10% 3 0.30 Asset acquisition 14% 4 0.64 Threats Waning margins 10% 1 0.10 Government supervision 5% 3 0.15 Rising prices of crucial input 6% 2 0.16 Taxes and tariffs 10% 2 0.10 Economic slump 10% 1 0.01 Total 100% 2.38 1-poor 2-below average 3-superior 4-very superior SWOT Analysis for Marriott International Company Marriott International SWOT analysis (Research and Marketing n.d) Strengths High qu ality brand within the industry International operations with large customer base Prompt delivery of services to customers Low debt liability and strong financial base Well coordinated management team Weaknesses Weak functional performance Vulnerability to economic slowdown Difficulty in accessing credit market Ineffective cost structure management Fluctuating profit margins Opportunities Expansion to other foreign nations/market More asset acquisitions due to high level of privatization Initiatives for transformations Product diversification Recruitment of highly experienced personnel Threats Economic slowdown due to credit crunch Increase in government taxes Entry of new players in the industry Expansion of competitors Political instability inflations Space matrix The space matrix is an instrument used to determine whether aggressive, defensive, competitive or conservative techniques are appropriate for the company. In this case, SPACE matrix is used to determine t he appropriate strategy that the Marriott International should adopt for its growth and development. It helps the company to favorably compete with other companies within the industry. When plotted on an X-Y axis, the statistics appears as follows: For Marriott International, it is important that aggressive strategy be adopted. This owes to the fact that the company lags much behind its competitors. By adopting the aggressive strategy, the company will be seeking to catch up and probably outweigh its major competitors. The strategy will be used in new acquisition of assets which are necessary for the company’s expansion to other foreign countries and other regions where it has the potential of creating more market opportunities. Furthermore, the strategy is very appropriate in terms of attracting more clients. With the large number of operators in the industry and the potential entrance of new players, aggressive strategy is most appropriate in grabbing customers and even es tablishing loyal clients. Grand strategy matrix Internal (Redirecting resource within the company) retrenching unproductive labor force divesture winding up of the company or liquidation reducing operation costs within the company Overcome weakness doing vertical integration improve on cost structure management strengthen functional performance reduce debt burden Maximize strength ensuring determined growth development of new market establishing innovations development of products attracting more qualified and experienced personnel to improve operations of the company External (acquisition or merger for resource ability) Getting into joint venture with other companies Doing concentric product diversification Pursuing horizontal integration Hiring consultants with varied necessary expertise The Internal-External (IE) Matrix This matrix places the company into a nine cell matrix. For the company, the Internal-External Matrix looks as follows: Quantitative Strategi c Planning Matrix (QSPM) for Marriott International Company First alternative-acquire competitor Second alternative-expand internally Key factors Weight Attractive-ness Score Total attractive- ness score weight Attractive-ness Score Total attractive- ness score Strengths Exclusive product 0.11 2 0.22 0.08 1 0.08 Location 0.09 4 0.36 0.06 2 0.12 Employees unique skills 0.15 1 0.15 0.13 4 0.52 Product quality 0.11 4 0.44 0.15 4 0.60 Increased productivity 0.09 0 0.00 0.12 3 0.36 Weaknesses Low quality service to customers 0.10 4 0.04 0.13 3 0.39 Poor sales and marketing 0.15 2 0.30 0.10 1 0.10 Product diversification 0.08 3 0.24 0.17 0 0.00 Pessimistic to globalization 0.12 1 0.12 0.06 1 0.06 Total weight 100% 100% Opportunities New market 0.09 4 0.36 0.12 0 0.00 Acquisition of competitors 0.14 4 0.56 0.08 2 0.16 Joining trade alliances 0.16 0 0.00 0.10 1 0.10 Threats Rising competition 0.08 4 0.32 0.12 1 0.32 Price conflict 0.10 3 0.30 0.14 0 0.00 Competitor dominance 0.18 2 0.36 0.09 1 0.09 Forex (US$) 0.09 0 0.00 0.20 0 0.00 Bad tax policies 0.16 0 0.00 0.15 0 0.00 Total attractiveness score 4.08 2.90 The price of a commodity is an element of total cost plus a profit margin. When a target market has been established, there is need to determine the price affordable to the customers. A marketer should be aware of consumer’s trends and their potential. The social class that the product is targeted will influence the price of the products. Recommendations to Marriot International Company A customer is the backbone of a company; the main decision that a marketing manager should make determining his company’s market segment. One of the ways to enter in the target market is marketing mix. The 4Ps represent Price, product/service, promotion, and place. An effective marketing ensures that goods are available to the target customer, when they need them at and they are affordable. Since the Mar riott International Company is fast growing, and with the current challenges it faces, it is important that certain recommendations be proposed. The recommendations should be adopted with the sole reason of advancing the company’s global operations. To achieve this, the following recommendations are important: Performance evaluation: the Board of Directors is the top organ of the company. It is therefore crucial that the performance of the board be evaluated with respect to the company’s goals and objectives. Besides, it will also be important to come up with appropriate instruments to be used in evaluating the performance employees and other junior staff members. This can be done through performance management; Restructure marketing techniques: the company is facing stiff international competition and is likely to lose out in case it remains with the same old marketing strategies; the company should consider drawing new market communication strategies that will repos ition its products in the market. In addition, the company should re-brand its products through careful and skillful innovation in order to attract new customers. To ensure that the operations of the company are successful, it is important that the company defines its operation principles of internal control. Moreover, the company should also establish ways of monitoring and evaluating the internal controls. The company should establish proper criteria according to which the process of risk management will be taking place. the criteria should be in such a way that potential risks are identified as early as the initial warning signs can be spotted and appropriate actions be taken promptly. Financial strength is one of the most important core businesses of the company. To ensure that the company’s financial resource are well managed and utilize, it is recommended that the company gives a clear description on how the internal audit should function to avoid any form of Fraud or m isappropriation of financial resource It will also be important for the company to enhance the flow of information from the top level to bottom level. The flow of information on crucial and sensitive matters should be effective and efficient. This should utilize the most current communication technology. The strengths and weaknesses of the company should be evaluated on a periodic basis in order to identify potential challenges that can affect the normal operations of the company. It is important to note that new challenges arise and can contribute to the company’s already existing weaknesses. Again, the company is likely to gain more strength areas which, if well utilized, can help enhance the competitive advantage of the company. A definite period should therefore be set to be used in monitoring and evaluating the internal weaknesses and strengths of the company. Analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the company is important since the company will be able to utilize th e available opportunities and cope with threats brought about by the system. Domestic market growth vs. Overseas Expansion of Marriot International The Marriott International Company started as s mall hotel firm in the United States of America; during the following periods, it embarked on aggressive expansion within the local industry. Its growth in the domestic market earned it a lot of revenues that enabled it to start its expansion outside the home market. It expanded its operations to several countries worldwide. The domestic market is getting saturated by new entrants into the industry; this poses threat to the company at local level. However, looking at the international market, there is still great opportunity to access new market segments. This implies that, the company stands a chance to gain more from overseas expansion than domestic market growth. In the process of overseas expansion, the company also stands a great chance of acquiring other companies and new assets. The most probable candidates for acquisition are the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Hilton Hotels. The most important thing is that Marriott International should focus on acquiring assets of the most performing companies as this will bolster its financial performance and also increase its presence in the market. The two presented takeover candidates are well positioned to ensure the Marriott International achieves its growth objectives and both domestic and international expansion. Reference List Abrahams, J., 2007, 101 Mission Statements from Top Companies: Plus Guidelines for Writing Your Own Mission Statement, New York, Ten Speed Press. Brotherton, B. and Wood, CR 2008, The SAGE Handbook of Hospitality Management, New York, SAGE Publications Ltd. Hoover, G., 2002, Hoovers Handbook of American Business 2003, New York, Hoovers, Incorporated. Reid, DR and Bojanic, CD 2009, Hospitality Marketing Management, New Jersey, John Wiley and Sons. Research And Marketing n.d, Marriott Internation al, Inc., Research and Markets, Ireland. Yu, L., 1999, The international hospitality business: management and operations, New York, Routledge.