Pediatric Healthcare Disparities Essay

Disparities in healthcare of children are complex problem that is associated with the disparities that exist in healthcare systems. These inequalities in the access to health care include the following factors: race and ethnicity, insurance status, education, English language proficiency, and poverty(Sobo, 2006). The aforementioned factors affect access to healthcare and the quality of service received. The racial disparities in pediatric healthcare are a tremendously pervasive depressing problem. Instead of those who most need the healthcare receiving it, they are given less priority hence these services did not reach them(Lieu, 2003). Among the most important gauges of soundness of health in children is being able to acquire healthcare services that are of high quality. Children’s health needs appropriate and apt use of medical services like physical examinations, laboratory test for diseases, and immunizations. These services are deprived to the children of the socioeconomic minority. Healthcare disparities observed pertains to less access to healthcare services and acquisition of low quality health care services by people whom are poor, of racial and ethnic minority, limited English proficiency, and low educational attainment. Children that belong to the racial and ethnic minorities receive an inferior quality of healthcare. Not only are there a small number of children in the minority class suffering from this type of problem but millions of them(Beal, 2004). Mortality in infants in Black communities is doubled when compared to the mortalities of infants of the White communities. Even this maternal and societal health’s most significant gauge confirms that the existence of racial and ethnic disparities is true. In United States, the people of color at present have a bleak healthcare condition. Approximately 20 percent Black and 30 percent Hispanic Americans do not have consistent source of medical care compared to less than 16 percent of the White Americans. There is a three-fold increase to the numbers of Hispanic children that do not have access to healthcare when compared to children that are not Hispanic Americans(AHRQ 2000). These alarming data poses a threat to the state of health especially of children that belongs to this people that belongs to the racial and ethnic minorities. Studies which were done for the determination of the factors involved in the disparities of pediatric healthcare are of significance in identification of populations involved in these dilemma. In a study done by Hambinge et al, it was found that in well-child visits (WCVs) the black and Latino children were given less counseling(Hambidge, 2007). Racial minorities in United States such as the Latino and Black children are the main population that suffers from these inconsistencies in the provision of healthcare. Scott (2004) indicated in the conclusion of their study that Hispanic or Latino children has increased risk of having no access to healthcare services in the last 15 years. Hispanic or Latino is defined in the study as individuals that came from countries in Central America, North America, Caribbean, and Europe. The absence of access to healthcare services was found to be greater in Hispanic/ Latino children with low economic status, whose parents have no college degree, and born in other countries or not born in United States. The race which is most predispose to lack of access healthcare are children of Mexicans due to their poverty status or low educational achievements(Scott 2004). The study of Flores (2005) found an association in children’s health and healthcare to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) of their parents. This factor has a significant impact as a barrier for the acquisition of healthcare in children. The research also indicated that parental LEP has a direct association to the possibility that children in need of medical care can not be brought to healthcare providers. Racial and ethnic healthcare disparity is proven through this study because the bulk of the children that participated in the study were of racial and ethnic minority groups, 82 percent Latino, 2 percent Caribbean black, 10 percent African American, 2 percent non-Latino white, 1 percent African, 0. 3 percent Asian, and 1 percent combination of other races. Large portion of this participating population can not speak English very well. Thus, the ability to speak English fluently of children and their parents will determine their chance of receiving appropriate healthcare services(Flores, 2005). The continuing presence of racism in the healthcare sector of the society is found to be related to the underrepresentation of minority racial and ethnic groups in professions of the medical industry. Generally speaking people that are poor are predominantly people of color such as the Blacks and Hispanics. Poverty does not allow them to be with the education needed to work in healthcare industry so they are underrepresented in this profession. Study results prove that people of color in the medical profession tend to provide more healthcare services to those people which are also of color. The possibility of providing healthcare services to the poor portion of the population is also proven to be attributed to those medical professionals that are people of color. This underrepresentation explains why the racial and ethnic minority receive less healthcare services(ERASE ). Even though it is said that in professional fields the race of an individual hardly matters it is rarely true. The complexity of the factors that are involve in the disparities of healthcare in general should not hinder in the search and implementation of solutions that will alleviate the disparities suffered by the people of racial and ethnic minority, low educational attainment, limited English proficiency, and economically challenged. It is the responsibility of healthcare providers to serve the public with equality to promote the health status of the whole population instead of only those that belong to the elite portion of the population. The present ways of addressing the disparities in healthcare is focused not only on the professionals that will provide the services but also to the public consumers of these services. The goal is centered towards providing equal chance of receiving quality healthcare services. One of these strategies is the establishment of guidelines that will help medical practitioners handle, diagnose, and treat with professional competence the health cases of the people that belong to socioeconomic minority. Another strategy is helping the patients and their families pursue healthcare of high quality thru assessment of healthcare services provided by the healthcare recipient or client. Publications are written in various languages to facilitate understanding of the contents by those people that are with Limited English Proficiency. Booklets or pamphlets are also produces to help parents assess if their children were provided with health services of high quality. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is also finding ways to develop enhanced strategies for quality improvement of healthcare services. Their initiative is focused on eliminating healthcare racial and ethnic disparities, supporting of the healthcare providers that supply services to communities of the minority people, and conducting seminars or trainings on how to address healthcare disparities(AHRQ 2000). The existence of racism can not be denied even though the society has already learned to accept that people are of diverse cultures and beliefs. Various organizations have been established to stop the disparities in healthcare of children and promote equality in the acquisition of these services. Despite the research and strategies that are implemented to counteract the increasing numbers of children having no access to good quality healthcare especially those of the minority racial and ethnic origin, the problem is still present along its complexities. Though it’s a cliche â€Å"children are the future of every nation† thus it is only prompt that actions should be undertaken to promote holistic growth of their well being. Eradication of these disparities in pediatric healthcare will ensure that tomorrow’s generation will have a better health.

Effect of Maternal Employment on Child Hood Education Essay

Abstract The study aims to examine in detail the effects of maternal employment as a doctor on child’s academic achievement at school level, with the help of using samples taken from working doctor and non working mothers and the schools grades of their respective children. The results predicted show that mothers as a doctor does exert negative impact on the academic achievement of their children. Further findings highlight that mothers education and the quantity of time spend with the child incase when the mother is working are the important tools for better school performance. The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement Introduction As we all know Pakistan being a developing nation gives great importance to two main sectors namely health and education. Therefore a lot of funds and resources have been contributed to these sectors over two decades on the principals of making Pakistan a healthy and literate community. Over the years Pakistan has witnessed a great deal of changes in its social, cultures and norms one of which has great relevance to our research such as female employment. The number of female employees has greatly increased. However female employment in profession cannot take place alone until and unless it blends with sound education. Therefore an increase employment in female sectors has led to a simultaneously increase in schooling or education as well, both of which are primary focus of our discussion. Since females are now opting medical as their profession and female doctors are increasing day by day, it was for this reason why we opted for this topic to study the impact of maternal employment as a doctor on their children’s primary education. Our aim is to make people aware of the fact whether maternal employment effects children’s education or not. In Lahore preschools and primary education schools are opening up at every location. This increase in demand for more schools is mainly due to more and more mothers going out for work. To become a doctor and serve the community can although be seen as positive aspect individually and socially however it can also have serious or negative implications on the child.To draw conclusions whether the working mothers as doctor have a positive or negative influence on child’s development we would need to consider several aspects of this development  that is how it affects the child’s academic performance and achievements, his personal character development and mental and emotional well being. All of the factors mentioned above would help us in determine whether it is feasible for the mother to work as a doctor or stay at home giving attention to their children. To study in depth we have taken into account the effect of working doctor mothers on children who are mainly enrolled in preschool and primary school. Children when are between the age of 3-12 years are most demanding in time and it is these early years of a child in which a strong bond between mother and child is created followed by the character development. Mother as doctors will tend to leave their children at day care or pre schools which might end up with negative effects on the children. On the other hand preschools and primary schools may also have positive impact on the child’s growth such as learning of new activities and work in groups which will help them build up confidence and lastly make them independent at a very young age. Despite these positive aspects of the schooling, a child might not perform well in his education performance. To carry out the survey and research a lot of variables were considered and used in finding. Variables such as the number of years after the mother started practicing medical profession after the child’s birth, the monthly income of the female doctors, the fraction of the to tal monthly salary spent on children. Last but not the least the amount of items available in the house that contribute in time saving techniques resulting in ample time available for the mother to be spent with the child, these equipment would mainly include washing machines, dryers dish washers and the number of helpers present in the house. Our main objective is to also study and compare previous generations to today’s generations in Pakistan. In past very less women were doctors and mostly were housewives who believed in not to work but to spend quality time at home and give in their best efforts to bring up their children. However nowadays females are becoming doctors. Thus a question arises whether women can still manage to give quality timer to their children with medical as their profession or children have to suffer because of their mother as doctor. Which option is better, to become a doctor and raise children or become a house wife and raise children. These questions will be addressed and answered in our research. Questions that will be asked from the doctors and non working women that will help us formulate general results  are in the form of two questionnaires. To gain more primary data which is still not answered by the questionnaires; there will also be direct interviews from the doctors. Thus our population will be few female doctors in Lahore that have children. However we have further narrowed the female doctors to a few hospitals at Lahore. The sample would be taken from surgimed hospital/ Services hospital.To sum up, research paper mainly focuses on the effect of mothers being doctors on their childhood’s development with special importance given to education development. To summarize in one line, the research helps in studying the development of child when their mothers are doctors (maternal employment sector) or when their mothers are housewives (nonemployee). Literature Review This paper involves number of studies that involve the relationship between maternal employment and children’s cognitive development. Maternal employment can be taken as an economic factor which eventually can affect and influence a lot of environmental conditions, thus it also affects the children’s cognitive abilities. We cannot deny the fact that economic conditions initially play a vital role in child’s development but on the other hand psychological aspects can also not be denied and need to be taken into account. To define and state them more clearly some of the factors affecting the child outcomes may include maternal employment, education levels of parent’s socio economic standing and other demographic standings. It is widely believed that mothers as doctors have less time available to spend with their children therefore one could say mothers as doctors have negative effects on the cognitive development of children. Some of the problems that can come across are slow language development process, unable to solve mathematical problems and deficits in reading abilities. Ruhm (2000) found out that during the early years such as 3 and 4 years old, children had detrimental effect on language learning and children with the age of 5 and 6 years had to face the problems mathematical inabilities. Lack of interaction and bonding with the mother at this stage in life may lead to cognitive difficulties in the child .Maternal employment results in separation of mother and child therefore providing a gateway to cognitive problems. An interesting finding that we found out while going through the  literature was that unlike maternal employment, unemployed fathers have negative effects. Harvey (1999) found out some significant results though they were more or less confined to high income versus low income families. Harvey (1999) conducted different surveys and techniques and studied the effects of maternal employment on cognitive development. Harvey (1999) found out that maternal employment is favorable and has positive impact to children that belong to low income families. This is perhaps because children from poor families receive more education in their pre schooling compared to if they stayed at home. This view point can also be supported with the fact that mothers from poor families are less educated and thus have less motherly skills. However children from richer families mostly lose out when their mothers are not at work. Income effects: David Blau (1999) conducted a study which focused on income effects. Blau (1999) found out that only permanent income that is from permanent career can affect the relationship which also is to a limited extent. Blau (1999) agreed that different economic classes do affect the cognitive levels. Family variables are important which mainly include mother’s educational level, marital status and race. Education Status: With respect to Blau, Loury(1988) examined that the educational level of the parents is the main cause of cognitive problems. To conclude about the literature review Investigation into the influences on children’s development shows the fundamental factor is the nature of children’s experiences in their primary life contexts, including the relationships between those contexts and wider socio-cultural contexts. The most influential factor is the nature of interactions with parents and, in the early childhood education setting, with early childhood educators. With regard to the impact of maternal employment, the direction of international research suggests maternal employment in itself has no significant negative or positive effects on children, although small negative cognitive and behavioral effects of extensive maternal employment may occur in the child’s first year. These possible negative effects are linked to the quality of the early childhood education, so high quality generally removes the negative effects and may increase positive effects in that first year. Any negative effects of maternal employment are negligible beyond the child’s first year  and must be seen in relation to the numerous influences in the different contexts of a child’s life. Methodology The purpose of the study is to look at how mothers working as doctors have an effect on their children’s performance in the field of education at preschool and primary level. To carry out research, female doctors who have children were selected as population from hospitals of Lahore mainly constituting Services and Surgimed hospital . To carry out data collection the population was sampled and fifteen female doctors who have children from each hospital were given a questionnaire and similarly two interviews from each hospital were conducted. We have used quota sampling based on convenient and non probability sampling. Semi structured questionnaire which consists of both structured and unstructured questions have been used. The questionnaire designed focused on general questions in the beginning and then focused more towards specific questions, the approach known as general to specific was used.. Since there are large numbers of female doctors who have children working in these two hospitals; it was easy for us to collect data with the help of questionnaires by distributing them once and collecting the questionnaires back next time. Unstructured interviews were also conducted, two from each hospital to collect data.The aim of the interviews was to find out any additional information that could not be generated or left out in questionnaires. This additional information was generated with help of probe questions. We tried our best to create an atmosphere which is suitable and comfortable for the respondents to conduct the interview Questions used in questionnaires are mostly measured in numerical frequency. The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement Questionnaire results and discussion: Q1: Most of the mothers (working and non working) were married, thus majority of them belonged to a stable family meaning by they were not disturbed due to family domestic affairs.(See Appendix for charts) Q2: An interesting finding from the questionnaires was that mothers who worked as  doctors had less children. On an average female doctors had two children. Whereas mothers who were not working had a majority of three children. Thus clearly highlighting the fact that mothers can give more time to their children if they are not working. (See Appendix for charts) Q3: Mostly mothers who had children of below the age of five years took leave from their profession to up bring their children. (See Appendix for charts) Q4: Both mothers who are working as doctors and mothers who are nonworking had majority of their life partners (husbands) as working and earning. (See Appendix for charts) Q5: Income was enough for them to buy things for children. (See Appendix for charts) Q6: Though when this question was put in a different way in terms of spending time with their children. Women who were not working, mostly spent 6 hours a day with their children whereas working women only spent 4 hours a day due to their staying away from home unlike nonworking women who worked while staying home thus could give more time to children. (See Appendix for charts) Q7: Mothers who worked in hospitals had hired maids for their children to look after them whereas non working mothers who hired maids were 9 out of 30 mothers who answered questionnaire. Out of 30 working mothers who were given questionnaire 16 had The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement hired maid’s .Therefore mothers who don’t work can look after their children much better unlike maids hired by working mothers for their children. (See Appendix for charts) Q8: Though there is a slight difference as most of the nonworking mothers visit 6 times years while working mothers visit 4 times a year. (See Appendix for charts) Q9: Mothers who work are supported and to great extent in bring up their children up to their academic expectations. Majority working mothers stated that their husband contribute more than 50% in children’s education responsibility. Whereas mothers who did not work took most of the children’s education responsibilities and husband contributed very less. Therefore a valid conclusion drawn is that mothers who do not work can give more time to their children’s education and can produce better results. (See Appendix for  charts) Q10: Mothers who worked provide their children with recreational activities such as taking them out to restaurants etc. Whereas mothers who stayed at home emphasized more on providing recreational activities such as sports for healthier routine and health. (See Appendix for charts) The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement Q11: Now talking about the main research question. Results drawn showed that mothers who did not work their children showed a better academic performance when compared to mothers who work. Out of 30 working mothers only 9 termed their children with excellent academic performance whereas in case of nonworking women out of 30, 18 termed their children as excellent in academics. Therefore clearly indicating that mothers who do not work are able produce better results out of their children unlike working mothers. (See Appendix for charts) Q12: Mothers who were working wanted their children to get the highest degree of education to become successful in life. Majority of the working mothers wanted their children to do masters. (See Appendix for charts) Q13: Some working women agreed that bringing up child is possible with job whereas almost an equal amount of women did not agreed that bringing up child is easily possible with job and thus affects overall performance especially academic performance. (See Appendix for charts) Q14: When working and non working mothers were asked about their opinion as mothers. Non working mothers termed themselves in majority (25 out of30) as excellent mothers whereas mothers as doctors only 12 out of 30 termed themselves excellent mothers. (See Appendix for charts) Q15: Lastly mothers were to give reasons of why they were working. Most of them mothers stated that they worked either for advancement in career or for monetary reasons. (See Appendix for charts) The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement Interviews were also conducted from working women from the hospitals. The unstructured interviews followed by probe questions helped us  to find more useful information about their impact of job on their children’s education performance. The findings from the interviews were finding out how much interest they showed in their children’s education and whether they had ever thought of the impact of their profession on their children’s education performance. Most of the female doctors were interested in their children’s education performance and were concerned but they also agreed that at times they lack in keeping their child’s performance up to date due to their performance. Thought it was found out that they tried to give equal time to their profession and their children to maintain balance however doctor as profession did not allow them to work on this idea freely and thus female doctors as mothers were more towards the view that doctor as a profession is too demanding, therefore some cost in the form of children’s upbringing has to be paid. To find more details doctors were asked what they thought of this profession whether it is friendlier towards family. Most of the doctors abruptly answered in a negative manner and demanded that working hours too long and should be cut short so that more time can be spent with families. Though in monetary terms they were happy since most of the female doctors quoted a handsome amount of salary and were able to meet their children’s requirement and their schooling (education). Lastly questions were asked from doctors whether they would like their children to be a doctor as well keeping in view the costs associated and children’s education impact. Most of the mothers were not in favor of making their children’s doctors stating that there is no social and family life in this profession. The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement Conclusions Findings from the research we suggest that doctor as a profession is not friendly and does not goes in favor side by side in bringing children’s education performance to the peak. Mothers working as doctors no doubt work hard in up bringing their child to their best however nowadays doctor as a profession is becoming demanding day by day and the number of hours to work have increased. Simultaneously education competitions have also increase and have become very demanding. Therefore looking at the results mothers who works as doctors, their children suffer more than mothers who do not work and spend time with their children. The other two sectors like bankers etc  had less or negligible effects on children’s education. Thus doctor’s children have a negative impact on their children education unlike mothers who are government servants or bankers. Recommendations The research is very helpful and will provide a good rationale for female mothers who work as doctors to take a decision whether to take up job or bring up their child as nonworking mothers. Looking at the results and findings the researcher suggests that in Pakistan, doctor as a profession is very demanding and has negative effect on children’s performance. Therefore it is recommended that women instead of taking up doctor as their profession should look for other job alternatives such as banking or other government jobs which are less demanding and have less working hours. The main advantage of considering other professions would be to give time simultaneously to their children along with their jobs. The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement Limitations: The one and only limitation faced in the project was to get the questionnaires filled out from the doctors. Since most of the time doctors were busy and getting hold of doctors to take their interviews and filling out questionnaires was difficult. The effect of maternal employment (doctor) on child development and academic achievement References Blau, F. D., & Grossberg, A. J. (1992). Maternal labor supply and children’s cognitive development. Review of Economics and Statistics Achenbach, T. M., Edelbrock, C., & Howell, C. T. (1987). Empirically based assessment of behavioral/emotional problems of 2- and 3-year-old children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, Baydar, N., & Brooks-Gunn, J. (1991). Effects of maternal employment and child care arrangements on preschoolers’ cognitive and behavioral outcomes: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. Developmental Psychology Brooks-Gunn, J., Han, W., & Waldfogel, J. (2002). Maternal employment and child cognitive outcomes in the first three years of life: The NICHD Study of Early Child Care. Child Development,

Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors

7315 Aircraft Mechanics and Aircraft Inspectors Aircraft mechanics maintain, repair and overhaul aircraft structures, mechanical and hydraulic systems. Aircraft inspectors inspect aircraft and aircraft systems following manufacture, modification, maintenance, repair or overhaul.Common Job Titles Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) Aircraft Structures Technicians (AST) Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Avionics Maintenance Technicians (AvMT) Aviation Maintenance Inspector Aircraft Mechanic, Engine Overhaul Aircraft Systems Inspector Certified Aircraft Technician Hydraulics Mechanic Inspector, Flight Test Inspector, Repair and Overhaul Mechanic, Aircraft Maintenance Shop Inspector, Aircraft Repair Typical Employers aircraft and parts manufacturers federal government airline companies service firms to air transport companies defense services Selected Main DutiesAircraft mechanics perform some or all of the following duties: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Troubleshoo t aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems to identify problems and adjust and repair systems according to specifications and established procedures; Repair and overhaul aircraft structural, mechanical or hydraulic systems; Install or modify aircraft engines or other aircraft systems; Dismantle airframes, aircraft engines or other aircraft systems for repair and overhaul, and reassemble; Work on specific aircraft systems such as engines, engine accessories, airframes or hydraulic systems; Perform and document routine maintenance. ww. ontario. ca/jobfutures  © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2009 Aircraft inspectors perform some or all of the following duties: †¢ †¢ †¢ Inspect structural and mechanical systems of aircraft and certify that these systems meet Transport Canada and company standards of performance and safety; Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, repair and overhaul, or modification of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures; Maintain detailed repair, inspection and certification records and reports.Operations, which are carried out mostly in hangars, expose workers to noise, vibration, liquids, fumes and other hazards requiring the use of safety equipment and clothing. A five-day, 40-hour workweek including shift work and overtime is normal. Education/Training Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) A minimum of high school education as well as a community college certificate in aircraft maintenance is required.Most colleges are dual- accredited by both Transport Canada and Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (CAMC), meaning that graduates get credit for the technical examination towards Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensing and credit towards CAMC certification as an aircraft maintenance technician. Aircraft Structures Technician (AST) The minimum education level is high school plus a formal community college training program in aircraft structures.Most colleges are dual accredited by Transport Canada and CAMC meaning that graduates get credit for the technical examination toward Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensing and credit toward CAMC certification as an aircraft maintenance technician. Several years of on the job training are then required to gain the necessary experience for CAMC certification and/or Transport Canada licensing. Experienced structures technicians with the equivalent of three years of documented experience can apply for an S category licence.Avionics Maintenance Technician (AvMT) There are basically two types of avionics maintenance technicians. One works at a bench/station in the electrical/avionics backshop where tests are conducted with specialized test equipment, and repairs are made or parts replaced. The second type of technician works in line maintenance and is a specialist in trouble shooting and solving avionics problems at the â€Å"gate†. The minimum education level i s high school with good physics and mathematics attributes.A structured community college certificate is also required or a recognized apprenticeship program. Most colleges are dual accredited by Transport Canada and CAMC meaning that graduates get credit for the technical examination towards Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licensing and credit towards CAMC certification as an aircraft maintenance technician. After two to three years experience, the technician can apply for CAMC certification. After the equivalent of four years experience, an avionics epair technician can apply for an E category licence. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) Page 2 www. ontario. ca/jobfutures After the equivalent of four years on the job experience, an aircraft maintenance technician can apply for an AME licence. An M1 or M2 license is awarded depending on the aircraft size for which the job experience applies. Military aircraft technicians can apply for a civil AME after civil aircraft experience is obtained.Aviation Maintenance Inspector Completion of secondary school is required. Candidates must have industry qualifications such as CAMC certification or CAMC-approved experience and training or an Aviation Maintenance Engineer (AME) licence. They must obtain an Aircraft Maintenance and Inspection Certificate for the types of aircraft and power plants upon which the candidate is normally employed. Supervisor experience is often desired by industry for this occupation.Candidates are required to have one year’s experience performing aviation maintenance inspections on aeronautical product, and must possess formalized aviation-related trade qualifications such as an AME license or CAMC certification or a candidate must have five years of on-the-job experience performing aviation maintenance inspections in aeronautical products An apprenticeship training program exists in Ontario for aircraft maintenance engineer but certification is not a compulsory work requirement in the province.Entry to apprenticeship requires a job and usually completion of Grade 12. The apprentice applies directly to the employer, union or joint industry committee for an apprenticeship opening. Students who have completed Grade 10 have an opportunity to become registered apprentices while finishing high school under the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. Alternatively, entry into apprenticeship can be pursued through pre-apprenticeship training. Employment ProspectOver the next five years: Average Opportunities for employment in this occupation are expected to be average over the period from 2009 to 2013. Despite the recent difficulties facing many North American airlines, the demand for more skilled workers, particularly in the maintenance sector is increasing. In addition, an aging workforce will create additional job opportunities through retirements. Industry growth and demographics will require that the aviation sector recruit and train sufficient new entrants with t he appropriate skills in order to prevent self-induced shrinkage in that sector.According to the CAMC, unless significant and fundamental changes occur now, shortages of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) and non-AME technicians will be widespread across the maintenance sub-sector through to 2015. Employment prospects will also continue to be good for these workers since many students with the aptitude to work on planes are choosing instead to go to university or work in computer related fields. Aircraft Maintenance Technician (unlicensed) are expected to posses the skills and knowledge of a licensed AME (Aircraft Maintenance Engineer).Employers place considerable emphasis on attitude, teamwork skills and technical knowledge. Aircraft Structures Technician (unlicensed) will need to acquire experience in structures such as composite repairs in addition to aluminium sheet metal and steel as demand for lap joint repairs falls in newer aircrafts. Avionics Maintenance Technician (unli censed) will need to obtain skills in line maintenance and troubleshooting as more elaborate electrical systems are installed on new aircrafts. Page 3 www. ontario. ca/jobfuturesAviation Maintenance Inspector will become the â€Å"super AME† possessing in-depth knowledge of all of an aircraft’s various systems. Aviation maintenance inspectors will be supported by a team of specialist system technicians. Characteristics of Occupation Estimated Employment in 2006 4,295 General Characteristics Male Female Full-Time Part-Time Self Employed Employees Unemployment Rate Main Industries of Employment Transportation and Warehousing Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Public Administration Wholesale Trade All Other Industries %) 96 4 95 3 5 95 2 (%) 54 22 11 4 9 (%) This Occupation 9 7 2 46 9 11 3 (%) All Occupations 10 3 3 45 10 11 5 Employment by Economic Region Ottawa Kingston – Pembroke Muskoka – Kawarthas Toronto Kitchener – Waterloo – B arrie Hamilton – Niagara Peninsula London Page 4 www. ontario. ca/jobfutures Windsor – Sarnia Stratford – Bruce Peninsula Northeast Northwest 1 2 5 5 5 2 4 2 Income Annual Average Employment Income of Persons Employed Full-Time Full-Year in 2005 $80,000 $60,000 $40,000 $20,000 $0 This Occupation All Occupations $58,294 $56,033Additional Information Sources Additional information about this occupation can be obtained from the following web sites: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (www. aiac. ca) Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council (www. camc. ca) Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (www. edu. gov. on. ca/eng/training/apprenticeship/appren. html) Transport Canada (www. tc. gc. ca) Page 5 www. ontario. ca/jobfutures Page 6 www. ontario. ca/jobfutures Page 7 www. ontario. ca/jobfutures

Why China wants RMB currency undervalued Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Why China wants RMB currency undervalued - Essay Example China has adopted a policy of intervention to control the appreciation of its currency, the renminbi (RMB), against the dollar and other currencies. This policy measure is heavily criticized by most of its trading partners, especially the United States (Morrison and Marc 1).China's policy of pegging its currency against the U.S. dollar has resulted in severe devaluation of RMB. This undervaluation gives RMB an unfair advantage over competitors in exports. Critics argue that this policy has resulted in China's huge current account surplus, and global trading imbalance (Chen and Mai 4).Some analysts argue that China makes a deliberate effort to manipulate its currency in order to get an unfair trade advantage over other trading partners (Morrison and Marc 1).U.S. claims that RMB's undervaluation is leading to U.S. manufacturing job loss and trade deficit. On the other hand, China strongly condemns such allegations and asserts that international pressure is a form of protectionism and i nterference in China's domestic economic policy. This research paper explores the reasons behind Chinese currency's undervaluation and implications of appreciating it. Renminbi (RMB) is the official name of Chinese currency, and it is divided in the Yuan units, RMB and Yuan are used interchangeably. China has been under extreme criticism and international political pressure to revalue its currency. The pressure is primarily led by the United States of America who asserts that competitive undervaluation of the Chinese RMB and other Asian currencies have significant influences on the U.S. economy (Bergsten). According to Cline and Williamson's estimate, RMB's 25-40 appreciation would lead to reduction of annual U.S. current account deficit by $100 billion to $150 billion. On the other hand, proponents believe that currency appreciation is the solution to China's own problems as it can work as a tool to curb high inflation, lower import price, and dampen the demand for exports(Goldstei n and Lardy 2006; Bergsten 2010; Tyers et al. 2008; Tung and Baker 2004 qtd. in Yang, Wei, and Simla 1). Nevertheless, there are widespread concerns about a major RMB appreciation. Within China, it is believed that a major currency appreciation would lead to slow economic growth and leave adverse employment influences on labor-intensive export sectors (Xu et al. 2011; Tang 2011; Lin 2011; Duan 2011 qtd. in Yang, Wei, and Simla 1). Background on China's Currency Policy Recent empirical studies reveal that undervalued currency leads to faster economic growth. It is because exports rate grow relatively faster than import rates. Therefore, the producing country generates more foreign exchange and enhances its production capacity (Abola qtd. in Joyce). When a country's currency is undervalued, exports grow more than imports because it will provide cheaper goods as compared to their competing trading countries (Joyce). In past, currency valuation has been used by countries who intend to p romote their exports, such as, Japan and South Korea, and now China (Diokno qtd. in Joyce). Until 1994, China practiced a dual exchange rate system. It included an official fixed exchange rate system used by government, and comparatively market-based exchange rate system used by exporters and importers in "swap markets". China restricted access to foreign exchange in order to limit imports which resulted in large black market for foreign exchange.There was significant difference in the two exchange rates. In 1993, official exchange rate with dollar was 5.77 Yuan while 8.70 Yuan in the swap markets. United States criticized China's dual exchange rat

Relativism-Religion Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Relativism-Religion - Term Paper Example In the modern America, most university students endure a level of intellectual frustration through his academic years. This book provides an understanding of the utility of ancient philosophy and is enriched with true knowledge of mankind’s existence. Bloom’s book portrays a critical view of the modern universities and their education system. Bloom says that the education system fails to stimulate the students as it cannot connect with their aspirations. He has essentially taken a pessimistic view of modern education system as cultivated by university professors. Critics have assessed the book as an attempt to undermine all the liberal professors by conservatism. In reality, Bloom supported the theories of the old philosophers since he believed that they were the ones who searched for spiritual answers that are roots to man’s creation. He takes a critical view of the modern philosophers whose lucid analysis of language fails to explain the ethical and political a spects. The modern professors of literature take a skeptical view of truth and morality that are promoted by genuine philosophy, thus narrowing the intellects of students. According to Bloom, only the study of ancient philosophy can make students comprehend the existence of mankind and get connected with the profundity of life. Bloom cannot be considered as a conservative; he simply wants the modern students to question about existence. In the contemporary world, students of all social and economic backgrounds are confined to the narrow view of life, thus getting more disconnected from the ancient thoughts. The minds of the American people are incapable of understanding the concepts of life and existence as they are instilled with distorted ideas. Bloom stresses that the modern professors cannot understand life’s profound questions let alone finding answers to those questions. The ancient philosophies like Pluto and Socrates can act as guide for liberation of thought, but the y are eclipsed by contemporary liberal philosophy. Bloom lists â€Å"reason-revelation, freedom-necessity, democracy-aristocracy, good-evil, body-soul, self-other, city-man, eternity-time, being-nothing† as polar opposites and says that â€Å"a serious life means being fully aware of the alternatives, thinking about them with all the intensity one brings to bear on life-and-death questions, in full recognition that every choice is a great risk with necessary consequences that are hard to bear.† (Bloom, 1988, p.127) Bloom argues that modern education does not encourage students to confront these polarities, thus they remain ignorant of life’s choices of good and bad. Bloom’s attempt is to make students aware of the myriad concepts of mankind, and that they must deal with these ideas to lead a philosophical life. The major portion of this book focuses on portraying a contrasting view between the modern and ancient philosophies and mind-sets. It says that hu man beings today are more interested in pursuing commercial pleasures, and that the value of philosophical search for truth is being largely ignored. In the book Beyond Good and Evil, the author Friedrich Nietzsche has stated that human beings are inquisitive in nature because of their thirst for truth. Nietzsche argues that the world is divided into opposite values, and the connection between the opposites is a complex philosophy. He says that human beings are so immersed in prejudices and false notions that whatever man considers as truth is actually a manifestation of his own falsehood. The conscious thinking of man is contrasted by his instinct, although Nietzsche believes that instinct is the source of information for conscious thinking. He says that falsehood is the

Financial Risk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Financial Risk - Essay Example Both companies have carried out work in Africa, Asia, Australia, the United States and other parts of Europe. The company operates from offices in the UK and Spain and focuses on the development of residential properties. In the UK the company operates from 24 regional offices across England, Scotland and Wales (Taylor Wimpey 2011b). Over the years, the company has built a wide range of properties from one and two-bedroom apartments to five bedroom detached houses. In addition to its UK and Spain construction business Taylor Wimpey also operates two other businesses - Prestoplan and Taylor Wimpey Logistics (TWL). Prestoplan is the company’s timber frame solutions business which allows for the simplification of on-site construction while TWL is its supply chain logistics business that sources materials in bulk from suppliers ‘just in time’ for carrying out construction (Taylor Wimpey 2011c). The industries in which Taylor Wimpey competes include residential constru ction contractors, the construction sector, and residential real estate development (Hovers 2011). The company’s main competitors are Bellway plc which is located in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the UK and The Berkeley Group Holdings plc in Cobham, Surrey. 2.0 Financing Decisions According to Edum-Fotwe et al (1995) the construction industry in the UK has always experienced a high level of insolvencies when compared to other industries. One of the main causes of this is the improper use of cash resources (Chen et al 2010). It is therefore important that regular performance evaluation be carried out in order to determine the strategies to use in order to ensure survival. Financial analysis using a number of ratios therefore becomes important. Liquidity and solvency ratios look at the ability of a firm to pay to meet short-term and longer-term financial commitments as they fall due (BPP 2009). Financing decisions will affect Taylor Wimpey’s financial risk 2.1 Financial risk Ac cording to Holton (2004) risk as it is commonly used refers to both exposure and uncertainty, neither of which can be defined operationally. There are many different types of risk. However, this paper looks at financial risk. Financial risk is the risk that is associated with debt financing. This synonymous with Gabriel and Baker (1980) definition which states that financial risk is ‘the added variability of the net cash flows of the owners of equity that results from the fixed financial obligation associated with debt financing and leasing.’ It also involves the ‘risk of cash insolvency’ and has been extended to include the risk of not being able to fill obligations in relation to prior claims with the cash that the business generates Gabriel and Baker (1980). A firm’s ability to meet its obligations is determined by the level of its fixed obligations as well as its liquid resources (Gabriel and Baker 1980). It is the risk that a company will not be able to meet its financial commitments due to insufficient cash flows. It is the additional risk that shareholders face when debt is used in addition to equity capital. Financial risk arises as a result of various transactions of a financial nature including legal transactions, new projects, mergers and acquisitions, debt financing, and through the activities of management, stakeholders and competitors (Horcher 2005). Financial risks are associated with both short-term and lon

Dell in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dell in China - Essay Example With this rise in production, the country's revenue will expand together with individuals buying power. One of the social changes happening in China is the role of computing and computing equipments in the social system. The case mentioned that top-level managers are becoming more and more technologically adept as they are becoming internet savvy. The country is still immature in terms of technology. This is one of the most important considerations for Dell as it also wants to employ its direct-model strategy in China through the utilization of internet technology. The patronage of internet is hampered by the government's regulation which is speculated by the people to be against them. The major strength of Dell, Inc. is its utilization of a business model which enables it to reap various benefits which are not enjoyed by its competitors. The direct business cut a significant amount of cost in the company's supply chain by eliminating the less value adding activities in the value chain. Inventories were kept low and technological breakthroughs are delivered to the customer within a week opposed to previous two months. The direct business model also enabled the company to market directly to the customer, thereby offering more customized products. Another strength of Dell's is its cost leadership strategy.

Managing Cultral Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Cultral Diversity - Essay Example Employing a diverse workforce helps the organization to deal with diverse groups of clients. However, these companies will need to have effective diversity and inclusion strategies in order to retain their diverse workforce. This paper will seek to analyze how Nike, Adidas, and Puma handle diversity through a review of information on their websites. The company with the best diversity policy would be the best to work in for most people on the job market. For Nike, their mission has to do with the athletes and innovation, as well as inspiration that they give these athletes. Additionally, the company has various guiding principles that they expect their staff to adhere to, including that their main goal is innovation and that they should maintain Nike’s brand image (Nikeinc.com 1). When it comes to diversity, Nike’s website has a lot of information on their policy for inclusivity. According to their website, Nike relies on a diverse workforce in order to diversify their perspective, background, and opinion. They also harness their diversity to inspire ideas and innovation. From their website, it is clear that innovation is a central theme. In fact, Nike has a Diversity and Inclusion team whose responsibilities include sharing the essential nature of diversity and inclusion with the aim of building understanding and awareness, the utilization of diversity and inclusion in order to create inspiration for new ideas, and to encourage connections between players in their supply chain and within the organization (Nikeinc.com 1). According to the website, Nike also develops Nike Networks that seek to aid Nike in making increased strides towards diversity (Nikeinc.com 1). For example, in the United States, there are six networks for employees that are designed to focus on important communities working for the company. Each of the network’s intended purpose is to improve work performance, professional development, assist the company to recruit divers e skilled employees, and improve interaction and teamwork across their various work groups. These networks are central to the company given their prominence on their website, and they include the Native American employee network, the Latino employee network, the African American employee network, Asia-Pacific employee network, and the LGBT employee network (Nikeinc.com 1). The next website of the study was that belonging to Adidas, which also dealt with the issue of diversity, albeit not as prominently as Nike. The Adidas group, like Nike, aims to become the global leader in the industry by creating brands that have a passion for sports and the accompanying lifestyle (Adidas-group.com 1). Information on the website says that they are committed to the continuous strengthening of their products and brands to improve their competitiveness, that they are leaders in design and innovations seeking to aid athletes in reaching their highest skill levels with each product, and that they are focused on their clients with continuous improvements in quality (Adidas-group.com 1). In addition, the company is also a global entity with increased focus on environmental and social responsibility, which seeks to embrace diversity and creativity, whereas also being financially rewarding to shareholders, as well as employees. According to Adidas’

Legal Environment Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Legal Environment Analysis - Essay Example London hotels generated daily profit - expressed as income before fixed charges (IBFC) - of 47.75 per available room compared to 57.46 the same month a year earlier." (Hospitality Trends, 2009) Although the trends in the hospitality industry at the levels of the hotel chains are not satisfactory the company is going to be the part of the small firms which comprises 99% of the UK business community. The tourism industry of UK comprises of 127,000 businesses in which 80% of the businesses have a turnover of 250,000 pounds per annum. "The London outlook by business segment has also been revised since the Q4 2007 Hotel Market Outlook report when it was expected that the luxury market would lead the sector in 2008. The model now suggests that the mid-market sector will be the front runner, seeing revPAR growth of 7.3% during the year, before falling back to 4.2% in 2009" (Hotel Market Outlook, 2008). The main source of competitive advantage in services industry is efficient service for th e customers. Supply chain plays an important role in the efficient service provision to the customers. "The goal of a supply chain should be to maximise overall supply chain profitability. Supply chain profitability is the difference between the revenue generated from the customer and the total cost incurred across all stages of the supply chain. Supply chain decisions have a large impact on the success or failure of each firm because they significantly influence both the revenue generated as well as the cost incurred. Successful supply chains manage flows of product, information, and funds to provide a high level of product availability to the customer while keeping costs low." (Chopra & Meindl, 2004; 44) The company will also use the same competitive technique in order to keep abreast with the challenges posed due to the high level of competition in the market. Industry Categories or types of establishment Hotels: These are the most luxurious provision of hospitality services (including conference and banqueting), resort, budget and bed and breakfast. Pubs, bars and nightclubs: These are the managed houses where alcoholic beverages are sold. Contract food service providers: These hospitality companies provide services such as schools or hospital catering provision; food and drink and facilities management at different organizations. They also provide services such as housekeeping linen and security. Hospitality services companies: These companies provide support to the provision of in house food and drink. They can be retailers or local authorities. Restaurants: Restaurants are the most popular category of the hospitality business found in UK. These include the Fast food establishments, cafes and coffee shops, mainstream restaurants and fine dining. The proposed business will belong to the same category. The hospitality business will be a restaurant with Oriental theme. Reason for

Happiness Essay Example for Free

Happiness Essay Happiness, rather than working hard, is the key to success, according to research published today. Cheerful people are more likely to try new things and challenge themselves, which reinforces positive emotion and leads to success in work, good relationships and strong health, say psychologists. The findings suggest that happiness is not a feelgood luxury, but is essential to peoples wellbeing. What is more, happiness can also extend across an entire nation, with people in happy nations being more likely to have pro-democratic attitudes and a keenness to help others. The link between happiness and success was investigated by a team from the University of California Riverside, led by Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky. First, they analysed questionnaires that ask people about multiple aspects of their lives. For example, they show that happy people tend to earn higher incomes, said Prof Lyubomirsky. Having established the link, they wanted to discover the cause. Almost always it has been assumed that things that correlate with happiness are the causes of happiness, but it could be just the opposite that those things tend to be caused by happiness, said Professor Ed Diener from the University of Illinois, another author on the paper. Other studies revealed that having a sunny outlook on life appeared to precede good fortune. There was strong evidence that happiness leads people to be more sociable and more generous, more productive at work, to make more money, and to have stronger immune systems, said Prof Lyubomirsky. Meanwhile, experimental studies showed that an instant injection of high-spirits could generate success. Inducing a happy effect leads people to make more money in a computer simulation. The research shows that while success can put a spring in someones step, people need happiness in the first place to achieve success. According to the study, around four out of five people in modern industrialised nations are happy at any one time. Success was not just about earning lots of money. We define success as obtaining the things that culture or society values, whether it be friends, close family, money and income, or longevity, said Prof Diener. However, sorrowful people are not condemned to a life of failure. Our work suggests that sad people should try to increase the frequency of positive emotions in their lives by doing things that make them feel happy, even temporarily, said Prof Lyubomirsky, whose research is published in the Psychological Bulletin today. But there is a caveat: your happiness boosters should not be dangerous, like driving fast, or counter-productive, like eating lots of chocolate. If you can raise your spirits, the benefits can be manifold. Happy people are more likeable and more sociable. They are also better able to cope with stress and likely to be healthier and live longer. Nor is happiness just an individual pursuit. Happy nations, full of happy people, are more likely to be successful than unhappy nations. People in happy nations trust others more and want to cooperate with their neighbours, said Prof Diener. Governments could keep a smile on their citizens faces by ensuring safety and stability. Although nations cannot live peoples lives and force them to be happy, they can create conditions for example, parks, reasonable weekly work hours, a health infrastructure, and good transportation that influence peoples happiness, he added. For governments and individuals alike, it seems, happiness is more than just a hedonistic pleasure.

Outdoor Advertising Using The Aida Model Media Essay

Outdoor Advertising Using The Aida Model Media Essay When using the AIDA model to explain the reasons behind the proliferation of outdoor advertising, among Awareness-Interest-Desire-Action, it is clear that an outdoor ad on billboards, e-displays serves to generate any or all among Awareness-Interest-Desire. Global or local? Globalization has of late become ubiquitous with most people viewing it as a panacea for all ills ailing future world economic development, a process that is in itself inevitable and irreversible. It can also be considered an economic phenomenon, involving integration of economic systems through growth in international trade, investment and capital flows. In his popular book,  The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century,   Thomas L. Friedman writes that the lowering of trade and political barriers and the exponential technical advances of the digital revolution have made it possible to do business, or almost anything else, instantaneously with billions of other people across the planet. What Friedman really means by  flat  is connected. The rapid and sustained consolidation of media properties over the last decade, particularly within the outdoor segment, is leading toward simplified buying for advertisers across multi-media platforms. An infusion of capital into the outdoor industry has fostered the propagation of vital marketing studies, pioneered the research development of new outdoor formats and has encouraged savvy entrepreneurs to explore new approaches to the worlds oldest medium. Multi-national media companies are investing serious dollars into the outdoor industry and the investments are beginning to pay off in spades with improved infrastructure and expanded services for advertisers. The outdoor advertising industry has been among the  first media channels to successfully craft a global footprint to connect people with concepts. The far-reaching conductivity of companies like Clear Channel, JCDecaux, and Viacom is evident. But, the flattening of the outdoor medium worldwide has even broader implications as global buying groups emerge, consistent measurement systems and standards are developed, and common cultural brands become a part of everyday life. At the 2005 AAAA Media Conference in New Orleans, David Verklin, the Chairman of Carat North America, suggested that outdoor will be the first globally bought and sold medium. His prediction has been proven true with WPPs Kinetic business unit emerging as the first global outdoor buying group, matching the international scope of outdoor operators already consolidated. The fusion of both global outdoor buying and selling units requires common currencies of evaluation and consistent business standards. Industry leaders from around the world are searching for the best approaches for developing a measurement currency for the global outdoor industry. The annual WAM (Worldwide Audience Measurement) research conference provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the enormous strides being made in outdoor measurement. The meeting also underscores the critical need for the development of consistent systems worldwide. The ability to execute global outdoor campaigns will necessitate a widespread business language. Outdoor advertising is ideally suited to global communications since the medium conveys ideas through visual expression. Outdoor is less encumbered with the translation of languages, compared to television and radio which rely heavily on verbal communications or print which requires written translation. Its often said a picture is worth a thousand words. It can also be said that the Coca-Cola brand is elegant on any billboard, in any country. While the notion of a truly global industry is intriguing, the intrinsic local nature of the outdoor business is inescapable. Anyone who has visited Tokyo or Hong Kong, Zurich or Buenos Aires, New York or San Francisco will attest to the fact that every market has unique geographic and demographic characteristics. The composition of outdoor plants found in those places is as different and diverse as snowflakes. The challenge for the outdoor industry is to think globally, but act locally. Most evolutionary changes occur slowly over many years, so its almost impossible to see these changes coming. But in the evolving arena of global outdoor advertising, changes are coming swiftly. Upgraded infrastructure and the innovation of new outdoor formats is changing the industry before our eyes. Many global outdoor companies have begun investing heavily in the development of high-style products and hi-tech display technologies leading to completely integrated product packages across countries and continents. Likewise, cities are partnering with outdoor companies to incorporate impressive outdoor districts into massive reclamation and urban renewal projects, such as the Hollywood and Highland project in Southern California or similar projects in Asia Media fragmentation has had a profound impact on the way media is consumed in the United States and the fallout will undoubtedly reach its distant shores in the years-ahead. Over the last twenty year the proliferation of new television and cable options, radio stations, magazine titles and the birth of the Internet has permanently reshaped the US media landscape. Include the development of on-demand technology, and the mounting challenges faced by advertisers trying to reach their audiences, becomes crystal clear. There are too many media choices. Outdoor offers a means to cut through the clutter of daily life by reinforcing messages that intercept consumers consistently throughout the course of daily routines. Outdoor impacts time-stressed consumers with targeted reach, frequency and continuity when other media struggle for an audience. Outdoor reaches beyond the front door of homes to provide a constant reminder that a brand is a good choice when consumers are mobile and most receptive to advertising messages. From roadside signs that spackled the American highways at the dawn of the automobile revolution, to the promise of hi-tech channels of communications, the outdoor industry has continued to evolve over more than a century. The commitment that the outdoor business offers advertisers is now and has always been powerful presence in a marketplace. The times may change and the methods employed to reach consumers may evolve, but the fundamental principles of outdoor advertising remain the same: a simple idea can cut through the clutter and deliver a message that is powerful and relevant. That is the sustaining power of outdoor advertising and why outdoor is the global medium of the 21st century. Literature review Among the various articles that have been written on the subject, While studying the brand recognition when encountering a billboard, it was found that clear branding and new product information improved brand recognition, whereas large amounts of text, pictures of people, lengthy and large headlines, information cues, humour and images of women all delayed brand recognition (Meurs Aristoff, 2009). The difficulty of reaching out to people through other media, improvements in high resolution digital printing and emergence of electronic display units have contributed to an increase in the popularity of billboards, which has been accentuated by the availability of portable devices to measure billboard exposure (Lupez-Pumarejo Bassell, 2009). While suggesting that outdoor advertising did impact sales, it was emphasized that further research is warranted to conclusively establish a relationship between them (Woodside, 1990). A study on the sales response to outdoor advertising revealed that temporal, spatial and promotional effects were significant, and that outdoor media had spatial effectiveness when used as part of a multimedia campaign (Bhargava Donthu, 1999). In another study these authors have proposed that factors such as length of approach, angle of structure, speed of travel all constitute part of the visibility rating of a billboard. Advertisers aim to maximize this rating, and are heavily investing into it as the cost of this media is low, but the retention is comparable to other media (Donthu, Cherian, Bhargava, 1993).

Importance Of Audience Research Media Essay

Importance Of Audience Research Media Essay Market Research has become one of the most lucrative career option and is among the highest growing fields in todays scenario. The high growth of the sector is a testimonial to the growing demand of research across all industries, then be it FMCG, Automobiles, Finance or Media. With the new breed of young MBAs coming through, the focus now is on Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning. Thus most businesses want to reach only their Target Audiences and filter out the excesses as they consider it as a wastage of resources, both in terms of money and time. This is particularly true for the media industry, where we have a variety of products like IMRBS TAM, IRS, . This is because a major chunk of media revenues come from advertisements which again depend on audience measurement in reaching to their decision as to which channel to give their ads on. Thus a high TRP in a TAM would ensure that you land up with the best of the sponsors and command highest of the prices. The need of Audience research can be traced in the Psychology studies done by Kellner in 2007. Different people purchase the same items but for a variety of reasons referred to as necessity, social pressures , family pressures , convenience , inadvertence and economic reasons . The field of Psychology has provided ample explanations through theories made from researches and studies to make the understanding of consumer behavior , and its applications in a variety of ways , what it is today (Kellner , 2007) . Media research is done primarily to observe study and analyze the pre-behaviours of the viewing population as well as the specific human behaviours that are evident as a result of the influence of media post the media exposure. The study may be carried out by researchers which may include organizations and individuals who may benefit out of the study either through government mandated projects or private agencies or companies whose interests may have their greater impact by how their businesses Ideas or products may have their impact on certain populations targeted or reached by media. Reasons/Advantages of Audience Research There are several advantage for doing audience research. Depending on which reason applies in a particular situation, a different type of research should be chosen. To help in making a decision The research may involve a few very specific questions or a main area covered, through a small survey, or a set of 3 or 4 focus groups. To understand the audience Research may involve either a set of focus groups, or a detailed survey. In general, a survey will provide precise results, but will be less informative. Also, a survey will cost a lot more, and take more time. To demonstrate facts to outsiders Commercial media owners want to attract advertisers to advertise on their medium. Thus it helps to have data showing the size, demographics, and interests of their audience. A related purpose is a special-interest organization, seeking support from a funding body, and providing survey data to show the extent of public support for that organization. This type of information should come from a research, conducted by an impartial third party. To provide material for programs The research data about the audiences can be used by media organizations, to generate content for the programming. For this purpose, all research methods are suitable, including surveys, consensus groups, and informal interviews. To design your communication You need to know your listeners, if you wish to persuade them, as it helps to shape your message in a way that may be acceptable to them. You may also need to know about their specific interests or the relationship among the audience members. This is particularly important when the communication goal is to persuade, and not just to create awareness. Also you need to identify the issues that may trigger strong emotions in your audience. Media Strategy: Media Planning, Media Buying and Media Selling Thus audience research and analysis is essential in determining how you will build your strategy so as to reflect their specific interests and concerns. And the more likely is the strategy to succeed. Components of Audience Research What you should know A major component involves the social situation of your present and potential audience. These can include their experience, education, job or professional background, age, gender, ethnic background, cultural differences, and more. Here are some of the key questions that are to be covered as a part of the research. What is the coverage area of your media vehicle? What other media, and activities are competing for your audiences time? How are these people distributed across the coverage area? What proportion of the area population use your media? How often do they use it? At what times, on what days? What is your stations share of their available time? What types of people use your media most? In what circumstances do people use your media? Do your listeners share common interests? Whats their relationship to one another? What recent experiences, if any, have they had that could affect their readiness to accept your argument? What will your listeners expect from you? Are you prepared in any case to address those expectations? What do they already know? Acknowledge audience attitudes and concerns. If the audience hold a positive view about your topic and your messages, the focus of the research will be on reinforcing the views and the benefits your audience may get. If they hold negative views, youll have to anticipate their objection in preparation of your research. You may have to limit what you ask of your audience. Determining what can trigger strong emotions in your listeners-whether positive or negative-is an essential step, you need to take those concerns into account and through that, thus showing your own awareness and sensitivity. How much to spend on audience research Audience research can cost a little or a lot. The cost is largely proportional to the sample size and the amount of labour involved: there are few economics of scale with audience research. Some research programs specially permanent panels with TV meters can cost millions of dollars. As a guide, many large broadcasters spend around 1% to 2% of their total revenue on audience research each year. For an individual project, which needs more detailed research than usual, its common to spend around 5% to 10% of the projects cost on research. Exposure: The basic measurement of the Media Audiences Ways that Media Audiences can be measured Technically exposure means open eyes or listening ears facing the medium. Practically it is the measurement of people who say they are sure they have looked into or read a vehicle within a given period of time. Exposure measurements are different for different mediums. Media Measurement What it measures What it means Vehicle Exposure Exposure to TV or print media Open eyes facing a vehicle(or opportunities to see ads) Print Media circulation No. of copies distributed People or families receiving newspaper vehicles(no exposure counted) Advertising exposure Number of ads exposed per issue or per TV program. A gross counting of the total number of ads exposed in a vehicle. Advertising Perception Number of ads that consumer remembered having seen in a vehicle The smallest amount of communication remembered of ads in a vehicle. Advertising Communication The total amount of recalled material from ads in a vehicle Feedback from ad messages in a vehicle. Response function: media effectiveness The number of responses to specific advertising in a vehicle The effect of advertising on consumers (responses such as sales, brand awareness, attitude change, and recall of messages) * The Relationship among Media, Advertising, and Consumers, Principles of Media Planning, Basant Rathore. Three methods of measurement Diaries: The diary was one of the first methods of recording information. However, this is prone to mistakes and forgetfulness, as well as subjectivity. Data is also collected down to the level of listener opinion of individual songs, cross referenced against their age, race, and economic status in listening sessions sponsored by oldies and mix formatted stations. Electronic: More recently, technology has been used to track listening and viewing habits. Arbitrons Portable People Meter uses a microphone to pick up and record subaudible tones embedded in broadcasts by an encoder at each station or network. It has even been used to track in-store radio. Software: There are certain software applications being developed to monitor cable TV operators with full passive and permissive viewer measurement functionality to monitor television channel ratings. The system tracks every time the channel is changed and records it accordingly. It allows what was being viewed at the time and which channel the viewer changed to. This information allows operators, broadcasters and advertising media to monitor audience TV usage habits. Media Planners use Cost per thousand as a comparative tool, to compare one medium or media vehicle with another to find those that are most efficient. It can be used for intermedia or intramedia comparisons. For print media (when audience data are not available): CPM= (Cost of 1 page * 1000)/ Circulation For print media (when audience data are available): CPM= (Cost of 1 page * 1000)/ No. of prospects readers reached For broadcast media (based on homes or audiences reached by a given program or time): CPM= (Cost of 1 page * 1000)/ No. of homes or persons reached by a given program or time For newspapers: CPM= (Cost of ad * 1,000)/ Circulation Advance Measurements and Calculations in Audience Research Reach- is a measurement of audience accumulation. It tells planners how many different prospects or households will see the ad once over any period of time the planner finds relevant. It differs from GRPs in the sense that each person is counted once, thus it is an unduplicated number. Frequency- It tells the planner the average number of times or the extent that audience members were exposed to same vehicle or a group of vehicles. It is a measure of repetition. Effective frequency- can be defined as the amount of frequency, the planner judges to be necessary for advertisements to be effective for communication. Sources of Market Data Size and share of market for a brand and its competitors, and other information contained in a situation analysis, can be obtained by a number of syndicated research services. Other data can be obtained from periodicals, association reports, govt, and media. The most widely used syndicated research services are those of A.C. Nielsen, Information Resources Inc. , Audits and Surveys Inc., Mediamark Research Inc., Simmons Market Research Bureau., IMRB, TAM, TNS etc. Some of the audience measurement tools are as follows: aMap, aDex, TAM, RAM, WAM, IRS etc. Methods of doing Research Audience Measurement for each medium National TV: TAM peoples meter (w/ 8,000 homes) TAM and aMap Nielsen Media Research/IMRB TNS Radio: Diary in radio markets RAM(Nielsen Media Research/IMRB) Magazines Recent-reading techniques w/ in-person interview and a long questionnaire about their product use Indian Readership Survey Newspapers Yesterday reading (Which NP did you read yesterday? typically use circulation figures) Indian Readership Survey Audits and reports the circulation of various publications Internet Use national sample of respondents Measure the number of visitors, how long people stay in each page, how far they go, how many times they return Nielsen/NetRatings or IMRBs WAM Out-of-Home the number of cars passing each billboard on the average day (daily circulation) Case Studies Case Study 1: Kheda Communication Project *Source: http://www.indianetzone.com/42/kheda_communication_project.htm The Kheda Communications Project or KCP is a field laboratory that aimed at the development and local communication in Kheda district of Gujarat. This project began in 1975 and continued till 1990. The site chosen for the experiment was Kheda district, which is an area near the SAC headquarters in Ahmedabad. Thus Kheda Communication Project could broadcast either local television programmes or national satellite television programmes. Around 650 community television sets were provided to 400 villages and also installed in public places like schools, where village audiences gathered in the evenings to view the broadcasts. The research team involved Prof. Arbind Sinha and his team from ISRO living in the village for around 18 months, and doing an ethnographic study so and studied their media consumption habits. The stay was important so as to understand the reasons for their media behaviour. The project was a first of its kind experiment by the Indians in the field of audience research. Kheda Communications Project is believed to be a milestone in the history of Indian television. The Development and Education Communication Unit managed this project and produced the development and educational programmes that involved the local audience. Case Study 2: CNN America *Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500486_162-929913-500486.html In the early days of television, news directors had little use for audience research it was far more the province of entertainment programming. The network news was only 15 minutes, and with so little time, the focus was almost exclusively on which stories had the most journalistic merit. But by the 1970s and 1980s the news was changing: Local stations were expanding their broadcasts to an hour or longer, and the compelling stories of the day no longer filled the time. Producers needed to know what kinds of stories would keep the audience. And so they embraced research. Viewers, researchers concluded, wanted useful information stories that were relevant to the way they live their lives in addition to the traditional news. Suddenly, stories about health, finance, and consumer concerns began popping up on the local news. Soon the network morning shows turned to research as well. They had plenty of reasons to do so. Like local newscasts, the morning shows had longer running times, and research helped producers figure out which lifestyle-type stories best held an audience. The morning shows also relied on a team of correspondents instead of a lone anchor, and audience research allowed producers to see the audiences response to various on-air personalities, who in some cases played a larger role in the broadcast than the content itself. (Examples of this type of personality abound, though perhaps there is no better than NBC weatherman Al Roker.) And the research helped producers better understand the audience, which, in the morning, is divided into two distinct segments with very different needs: People who are in transit and watch briefly before beginning their day, and people who stay home and are more likely to be there for the whole two hours. The television advertising industry in India is a complex and dynamic one with media choices increasing everyday. New channels are launched; new genres are established; brands are targeting niche audiences. In this scenario there is a need to find a perfect channel fit for the brand. The financial risks are too high and one needs to take action immediately to make the best of every rupee spent, therefore, the need for an overnight measurement system. The heterogeneity amongst consumers and their diverse spending patterns call for a more robust system for audience measurement on a much larger sample size. Case Study 3: All India Radio *Source: http://india.gov.in/knowindia/radio.php?pg=2 AIRs Audience Research Unit(Largest Feedback and Research Support Network)- In the era of market driven broad casting, it may not be possible for any media organization to survive without feeling the pulse of their audience and knowing the market. This compelled the media organisation, particularly electronic media, to get the syndicated media research done to know the viewership/listenership of their programmes market potential for them. No broadcasting agency can afford to move faster without the viewership/listenership data in hand. The case of radio broadcasting is not different, the competition is intensifying day by day due to opening of more and more private radio stations but none of the upcoming radio broadcasting agencies across the country, other than All India Radio, has such a large in house audience feedback and research support network. The Audience Research Units of All India Radio provide instant feedback and research support not only to the in house programme planners producers but also to the sponsors, advertisers marketers. With the changing mass communication scenario particularly market oriented broadcasting, Audience Research Unit of AIR has also reoriented itself. Efforts are on to create the ripple of changes to curve a niche for itself among the sponsors, advertiser marketers. This is evident from the studies assigned to the Audience Research Units in the recent past by the various agencies. Besides the sponsored studies, the network of audience research continuously conducts radio listenership survey (RPL) in order to provide updated data to the programmers as well as the advertisers interested in mounting advertisements on AIR.

A Critical Analysis of Wind By Ted Hughes Essay -- Papers Essays

A Critical Analysis of Wind By Ted Hughes Hughes's opening line is sculpted in such a way that it gives the reader an abundance of sensations. The poet achieves amazing efficiency in the line "far out at sea all night" in that the reader is exposed to distance, time and environment. The metaphor of the house being "out at sea" projects the image of a boat "far out" feeling totally isolated. The house faces wave upon wave of inexhaustible pounding from the wind as a boat would from an enraged sea. The time scale of "all night" could literally mean all night or it may refer to the perception that the wind is so acutely intense that it feels prolonged. The words "crashing", "booming" and "stampeding elevate the wind to one of biblical proportions which sounds like an orchestra thumping out a killer crescendo. The line "stampeding the fields" accentuate the brutality of the wind attacking the natural surroundings. In keeping with the oceanic metaphor the house "floundering" evokes a sense futility. The alliteration in "black" and "blinding" impose emphasis upon the words and a heightened sense of awareness in the reader. The second stanza is a witness to the winds legacy. The magnitude of the winds power is illustrated with "the hills had new places". The ultimate measure of the winds potency is that its changed the environment which we would normally imagine reassuringly permanent. The personification in the "wind wielded blade-light" makes the wind dangerous and randomly spiteful. I think the " black and emerald, flexing like the lens of a mad eye" refers back to the sea metaphor in the first stanza. A stormy sky like a stormy ... ...e last two lines of the poem Hughes writes the "window tremble to come in" and "stones cry out". The personification in "tremble" and "cry" show that even inanimate objects are displaying signs of fear and distress. The theme for the poem is ultimate respect for nature's weapons and total humility for anything caught in the conflict. In some instances respect turns to terror as if hiding from an omnipotent tyrant. The structure of the poem is consistent throughout with six stanzas of equal length. Hughes uses a lot of alliteration to break up the reading fluency to reflect the choppy subject of the poem. Hughes's use of metaphor skilfully illustrate the scale and nature of the wind whilst drawing attention to the way the wind exploits the delicacy of the surroundings we usually consider so dependably solid.

Artificial Intelligence :: essays research papers fc

Artificial Intelligence: Can Small Insect Like Robots Rule the AI World? The Question that I propose is: Can insect-like robots perform tasks superior to that of any other style of robot? I am going to prove to you that the answer is yes, of course they can! With their superior stability and many less drawbacks that larger wheeled robots the legged â€Å"insects† can out perform even the most powerfully computing machines in many tasks. The applications of these robots are only limited by our imagination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people believe that artificial intelligence and robots should only be for â€Å"unthinking and repetitive tasks, or for dangerous but straightforward undertakings† (Economist 83). But as human understanding and intelligence of computer systems and technology progresses the idea of artificial intelligence becomes more of a reality instead of a vision. Right now a computer can be a matchmaker, a chess champion, and a useful searcher of medical information. And many people and programs are changing that with their leaps and bounds by actually giving the machine senses like a database of knowledge and sight and sound in the forms of a camera and a microphone respectively. In one case a robot can sense â€Å"hunger† by making a decision when it is running low on fuel to choose to refuel before it completes its task that has been scheduled. It may have to refuel multiple times before the task is completed. The decision can even be made taking into effect the distance it is away from a refueling station (Economist 84). This is one reason why a small insect –like robot could be more useful, because it could be more efficient and adaptive to the task at hand.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Much of the robotics community believes that a robot will have to be huge in size and programming to be useful in anything. But many of those types of robots could only mover across smooth surfaces like floors or roads for it to be stable and have no chance of it damaging itself by tipping over. The only way that robots could ever move where humans could, was to develop legs. But legs could be unstable causing the robot to fall, which concerned many people. But it wouldn’t be a concern if the robot was the size of an insect since insects fall down all of the time and they seem to still get around ok (Waldrop 963).

Cookridge Ltd Essay

Inkwell is a Public limited company and was established in 2003, seven years ago by two of its three controlling shareholders, Paul Farnon and Victoria Dawson. Two years ago Anil Gupta bought into the company and joined the board as Finance Director. The company has its head office and warehouse on the industrial estate in Birmingham, where the management team and account department resides, including a large central warehouse. 4.2 The business was set up to offer a part exchange facility online accessible 24 hours a day or physically bring them into one of the 60 shops, and supplies a complete range of re-manufactured inkjet and toner cartridges through nationwide high street shops. Its main competitors are suppliers in the cartridge supplier sector in UK. Its main internal stakeholders are its Board of Directors, being the investors and manager of the organization. Employees, they are the workers of the organization in various departments to run its operations in return for a salary. Its external stakeholders are its: Supplier’s, these are the people that provide the supplies of re-manufactured inkjet and laser toner cartridge after it has been refilled. Customers that pay on cash, order online, or buy at one of the nationwide network of shops. These customers account for 80% of Inkwell Limited revenue. Government of UK, they are interested in the performance of the business in order to be able to collect the taxes on the profit levels. 4.4 The shareholders are still heavily involved in the day to day operations with Paul Fernon as Managing Director with 40% shares with the largest share, Victoria Dawson as Sales Director with 30% shares and Anil Gupta as Finance Director with 30% shares. A qualified Accountant Alex Fox has been employed as the first member of the accountant team that reports to Michael O’Payne but have direct access to the Finance Director as well. 4.5 Inkwell Limited is organized into departments and has an equivalent of 180 employees including  the accounting de partment – see Appendix on page for a structured chart. Analysis and evaluating the system Structure and Function 5.1 The Company Accountant is Michael O’Payne who’s responsible for the running of the accounting department. The first member of the accounts team is Alex Fox with other 5 full time staff. 5.2 The computerized system in the head office is an integrated system which is linked between the different accounting functions. While in other 60 shops they are on a stand-alone basis and data and information are stored separately. 5.3 The different section of the department, its staff and responsibilities: General Ledger and Inventory- Michelle Labelle account clerk. Responsible for entering relevant data into the general ledger, keep financial control over companies inventories. Purchase ledger- Liana Khan accounts clerk. Responsible for liaising with suppliers and other associated transactions. Sales ledger- Greg Morris accounts clerk. Responsible for dealing with customers and other associated transactions. Costing- Alan Cook costing technician. Responsible for dealing with in put costs and other associated transactions. Payroll- Sharon Ward, BA (Hons) is a personnel database and wage clerk. Responsible for preparing monthly salaries and wages for all the employees and all associated transactions and second is to maintain the personnel database. 5.4 The accounting functions in details are: Processing and recording of the financial transactions of the credit customers and credit suppliers of the different sections in the accounts department. Preparation of management information’s on credit sales, credit purchases, costing and payroll associated returns and documents. 5.5 Michelle Labelle in the general ledger and inventory function: Enters all data requiring input directly into company’s cash book and its petty cash imprest system and keep financial control over the company’s inventories. If inventories get above three days’ holding in any shop Michelle has to telephone and get justifications for the variance. 5.6 Liana Khan in the purchase ledger function: Makes sure that all supplier’s invoices and credit notes are entered into the Accounts Payable Ledger, and for Subsequently arranging the payments to suppliers. 5.7 Greg Morris in the sales ledger function Uses a credit reference agency to ensure that potential new credit customers have no history of poor payments. Checks any new customer who applies is always given a line of credit after this trial period. 5.8 Alan Cook in the costing function: Uses a target costing approach, working out what the cost of each component such as ink or plastic, and Supplies management with the monthly basis, and Advises management of variances from target. 5.9 Sharon Ward in the payroll and personnel database function: Operates the company’s two payrolls prepares the pay slips from the rotas prepared by the managers for the staffs. The salaries staffs are paid monthly on the last working day of the month using the Bankers Automated Clearing System (BACS). 6 Review of the accounting system 6.1 Record Keeping System A business needs an effective and manageable recordkeeping system. This is why in the business environment with regulated accounting structures, it is vital that organizations have the necessary records of evidence to support business operations. All transaction is electronically and manually processed to be made available. The necessity to provide access to recorded information is crucial. These are information’s relating to the different accounting function, such as; Purchase Sales Payroll Cash and Banking Record keeping systems are used; To better support the performance of the organization activities and enable better decision making all throughout the structure of the organization. To make sure that information is available for future or current processes, and helps also in the improving and upgrading of the manual or computerized processes. To address any future issues that may arise internally or  externally, such as fraud, lawsuits and other an-ethical accusations. To support the employees in the different functions of the business to be more efficient, productive in the accuracy of delivering the work. Records which are processed and made available are then used to produce other financial reports. Michelle Labelle in the general ledger and inventory function record and process the different inventory, supplier’s data to make available information on: Suppliers Cost prices Selling prices Profit margins Re-order level and quantities The data is used to know the overall cost of inventory, purchase and how much owed to better plan for future costs. Greg Morris in the sales ledger function processes the cash, cheques and other financial data to ensure that information is available on demand for: Customers Selling prices Bad debt Amount customers owed This information is used for different purposes such as; it is used by the debt collection agency for the collections of debt. The use of computerized recording system is more efficient than paper base. This is due to because the use of paper base recording system is more likely to produce errors then having a computerized format that data is just inputted in. Using a computerized system is less costly and time consuming. 6.2 Internal System of Control For an organization to have efficient and effective operation of its activities, internal system of control procedures is used by the management in place to ensure that the organization achieve its goals. This is where policies and procedures come in place to establish an internal control system to maximize the detection of frauds and errors, and to minimize their occurrence also. Existing internal system of control in Inkwell limited are: Supervision of the accounts office by a Company Accountant and Senior accounts member. A staff rota is prepared by the managers to ensure adequate staff coverage for all the opening hours of their shops. An information technology policy exists which sets out rules relevant to securing the computer systems. The computer system throughout the company is password protected. Company cheques are required for authorization by the three directors & company accountant and other financial documents for approval. Reconciliation of the purchased stock against recorded inventory level. Purchases duties are segregated to minimize the risk of fraud. A credit rating agency is used to ensure that potentially new credit customers have no history of poor payments. Policy for dealing with non-payment of debt exists, and its state out the actions and procedure. Cheques and cash from customers are kept in office safe until it is banked. Internal control that is missing or can improve is: Company policies and procedures. Disciplinary measure to breach of policy or miss conduct. Management supervision. Segregation of duties Staff Recruitment procedures Staff training and Continual Professional Development. Restriction on accessing of computer systems. Enforcement on Computerize backup of financial documents. Retention and disposal of records throughout the business. Accounting standard and procedures. Risk assessment. Liquidity management. Verification and checks of accounting data. List of authorized access. Checks relating to wages paid out Credit control system. 6.3 Fraud Fraud is the use of deception with the intention of obtaining an advantage, avoiding an obligation or causing loss to someone else or to an  organization; this is the general definition of fraud. It is an unfortunate fact of life and comes in many forms and is recognized as a criminal activity in many countries including UK. Possibility and opportunity of fraud within Inkwell limited is possible due to the internal control is not efficient, efficacious, being deficient and the opportunity of fraud is there for the taking. Fraud covers a wide range of area criminal activity. Common types of fraud are: Theft – Dishonestly taking someone else’s property. False accounting – Dishonestly destroying, defacing, concealing or falsifying an accounting record for personal gain or to cause loss to someone else. Bribery and corruption – taking or giving a bribe that might influence the actions of others. Deception – Obtaining property, money, services or evading liability by deception Methods that can be used to detect fraud Fraud can be detected by the experience manager by simple observation and through experience and also through a robust internal control system. Some sigh can include: Employees acting suspiciously – looking shifty and hiding paperwork Employees with higher levels of spending than you would expect from their income Employees working long hours and taking less than the normal holiday entitlement. Employees who have a grudge against the organization. Employees who are known to be short of money. The usage of the internet to for online sale is also at risk of fraud, since customers give Debit and Credit Cards details to pay their debts. Card fraud transaction can be detected by using Business rules. Opportunity and Potential areas of risk of fraud taking place are:  £3000 worth of a particular make of cartridge was unaccounted for during reconciliation of inventory with purchase order. Goods not appearing on the warehouse inventory record. Cash and cheques are entered manually which can be easily be subject to false accounting Complaint’s on wages being underpaid Only one staff operates and have access to payroll system Lack of written instructions Computer are not logged out and locked when not in use. No system in place for warehouse or administrative employees to record and know the time they arrive and when they leave the office The usage of debit or credit card detail by customers over the internet to pay. 6.4 Working Methods and Practices The working methods used in Inkwell Limited are: Computers are attributed to each staff whether part-time or fulltime to work on. The computer systems are run on an integrated network, with all PCs linked to two printers in the department. Every shop has PCs and printers of its own. Microsoft office excel spreadsheets is used in the accounting system for recording of the different data. All computers use Windows Vista operating system and loaded with Microsoft office 2007 consisting of 80-user operating license, and one new computer loaded with Sage Payroll software to unable payroll and personnel system to be run in-house. Internet access is available on every computer with Mozilla Firefox as web browser. Password is used on the computers. Large trade customers are put on a cash-with-order basis for the first three months of business. A credit reference agency is used potentially new customers have no history of bad credit. All cash and cheques are removed from the till, leaving a float of  £50 cash in each for the start of the next day. Staff salaries are paid monthly using the Bankers Automated Clearing System (BACS). Prepared by the wage clerk, signed by the Company Accountant and banked on 24th of each month. The methods and practices can be improved in the following: All 60 computers at the shops operate on a stand-alone system. Excel Spreadsheet being used for recording accounting data. Debt collection agency being used to collect bad debt is expensive. Password used for the computers. The removal of all cash and cheques, from the individual tills are not  practiced. Backing up of computerized data. 6.5 Training Training is essential for every personnel of an organization, as it improve the ability of the staff to perform its work and therefor reducing the amount of errors and hired part time staff used to perform tasks that can’t be done inside the organization. This is why every staff must get the opportunity to continue their professional development and be skilled to perform the task at hand. Inkwell Limited does not have the proper policy and systems in place to encourage employees to be enrolled in a part time or full time course, unless they take it on themselves to address the issue to the management. Benefits of training: Staffs are updated to the accounting standard and regulations. They will be motivated to work and be more efficient due to possibility of a promotion or career opportunity being increased, therefor errors is reduced. Staff will be more skilled to meet the needs of the organization. Professionally regulated staff will be governed by a recognized code of ethics from a professional accountancy body. Will better know how to, manage the time to do the tasks, therefor becoming more flexible and productive. Development of an ethical approach to the work and to employers and clients, acquired by experience and training. WEAKNESSES IDENTIFIED Record keeping system No completion of trial balance, statutory accounts as planned. Window dressing of the accounts. Transaction accounting are not done on a day to day basis Accounting record data entry is not being viewed as apriority by Michael O’Payne and Anil Gupta. Having unusual entries found in the general ledger. Errors may occur in inputting data into the computer. Internal System of Control No proper recruitment procedures in place to hire staff that has dismiss. The existing policies are not fully followed. This includes the Computers information technology policy, with no proper password, and logging off the computer after use. A lack of internal control for detection and fraud prevention Lack of segregation of duties. No proper scheduling back up of all IT systems being followed. No proper security for the shops. No policy for Data protection. No list of authorized personnel to access certain documents. No follow up control in place to the internal controls being followed. No supervision is done to monitor the signing in and signing out in the business. For the 60 shops, computers run on a stand-alone system. No safeguard for the proper security procedures in place/security issues relating to debit and credit cards details over the internet (Identity theft). Fraud Possibility of fraud is high; this may be caused due to: Nothing is done to ensure working practices undergoes a proper way. Inadequate guidance on how to detect and deal with fraud. Low effectiveness of security systems especially the password which does not improved each time is changed and can be guessed easily. A lack of supervision, monitoring and checks of accounting activities and records kept. Debit and Credit cards usage over the internet for customers to pay their debt can be subject to identity theft. Noncompliance to internal control. Unaccounted Cartridge’s worth  £3500, with no record in inventory. Details of transactions being deleted in the database, relating to one-off significant payments. Working Methods and Practices Breach of software and user license for software in use, can bring legal action against the company. No coverage or placement of professional personnel to carry out the work of absent staff. Lack of enforcement of legal requirement trough out the business and working practice is very low due to low standards Liquidity management is very poor. Lack of motivational skills from the directors of the business. No adequate physical controls to ensure the security and safe keeping of the businesses assets so that they do not go missing or are stolen. Working conditions and schedule are not respected by the Directors, having problems prioritizing work Lack of staffs, causing over working of staffs and no coverage or placement of professional personnel to carry out the work of absent staff. Therefor agencies are hired to do the work, which is costly. Job rotation is not practiced in the organization A required computer program needs to be attributed to these functions: Invoicing which is carried out. Data on Excel spreadsheet is manually input. Training More training is needed for operating: Quickcost system Payroll and personal system: Several teething problems experienced with the integrated payroll and personnel database. Need for education is needed for: Professional approach to work. Reliability in terms of competence. How to properly handle a secure credit and debit card transaction. Recommendation Recommendations are done following the various weaknesses identified and mentioned above. Record keeping system The management must ensure that the planned working schedule is followed strictly. If problems meeting the targets occur, it should be communicated to the responsible supervisors so proper action can be taken. Working schedule should be adjusted in so that the review of the payments and all other relating transaction are done earlier so that they don’t have to window dress. Different task must be prioritized by the management, so that conflict does not occur, were task are neglected. Accounting record data entry must be prioritized by the two organization’s directors Michael O’Payne and Anil Gupta. The directors must review the benefits that will be gained. Unsure that the proper records relating to the daily business transaction are entered into the general ledger. Verify the data inputted in the computer to ensure that is correct. Internal System of Control Standard policy and guidelines of hiring staffs should be introduced, pointing out the necessary detailed document that is needed making the  process more transparent and reliable. Staffs should be sensitized of the policies in place and know the importance of respecting them. Setting up a fraud policy which sets out the way to detect and deal with fraud, throughout the different working procedure and practice. Duties should be segregated, by setting up a system, which when combined, could lead to fraud. The existing policy should be re-enforce, so that the record kept on the computers would be backed up on the server regularly to prevent loss of data instead of doing it once a day. Alarm systems should be installed for all the shops of the organization, to better protect the business assets from being stolen. Proper policy and procedures should be introduced. The Data Protection Act should be communicated to all staffs, to better protect the company’s and the customer Data. A list of authorized personnel should be produced and communicated to the staffs. Staff personnel should be put in charge of verifying that all policies in place are being followed. A logging system should be set up to have a record of who comes in the office and at what time. Such system should be monitored to ensure all staff complies. An integrated network should be set up on a server to connect the computers together with proper licensed software. Safeguards should be implemented on the procedure for transaction involving debit and credit card details provided by the customers. A standard and effective Sage Accounting package should be bought to unable: A standard layout of the invoices issued to customers. Enable data to be imported and exported from and to Excel spreadsheets. Enable better detection of errors in the different account ledgers. Fraud To reduce the possibility of fraud and make the internal control system fraud resistant, the various techniques should use: Accounting activities should be supervised on a regular basis. The records and calculation of financial document should be sampled and checked regularly for errors. Make sure that the fraud policy which will be introduced set out the way to detect and deal with fraud, throughout the different working procedure and practice and to make any adjustment necessary. Managers of the various departments should be given areas of responsibilities and answerability to ensure that fraud is kept to a minimum. Value of a business rule management system (BRMS) approach to fraud detection can be implemented. Business rules can be used  to validate various conditions for detecting anomalies that can indicate fraud. Enables institutions to react quickly in their effort to keep pace with fraudsters. Disciplinary measures or penalties should be set up for breaking an internal control or if a staff is practicing fraudulent act. Physical security should be re-enforced, locking up valuable items away, such as cash and cheques. Set up a limit to which a financial transaction should be requiring authorization, by one or more authorized signature. This may range from petty cash or cheques over a certain amount. Doing a regular reconciliation of the accounts to the financial documents to make sure they balance and errors corrected. Management should carry out Risk Assessments as part of the of an effective internal control system. Working Methods and Practices Make sure that all computers use license software in all the shops and departments, monitor that the license are not broken causing legal action to the organization. Adequate number of specialized staffs should be introduced for the coverage of staff that is absent. The business must comply with all relevant External regulations. Such as international accounting standards even government regulation from HMRC. This will aid in raising the standard of working practices. Better management of buying inventory from suppliers. Credit to customers should be reduced. The managers should undergo a management course, to learn how to better manage their business, motivate their employees through training, giving out bonuses, paying for overtime and other incentives. All assets should be recorded and proper management of the assets should be put in place, to know the life cycle. Directors should produce an effective working schedule, reducing the stress on employees. Adequate number of specializ ed staffs should be introduced for the coverage of staff that is absent. Produce an effective rota to unable the staff to rotate to different accounting functions in the organization. A standard and effective Sage Accounting package should be bought to unable: A standard layout of the invoices issued to customers. Enable data to be imported and exported from and to Excel spreadsheets. Enable better detection of errors in the different account ledgers. Training More training should be provided for: Quick cost system Payroll and personal system To ensure that staff has the necessary skills and knowledge to be more effective and reliable in their work, in terms of competence: Staffs Training should be invested in by the management, to better handle the daily tasks. Including Debit & Credit cards transactions This should include internal or external training courses for using any newly introduced accounting package. Telephone support lines made available by the software provider. Workshops on the improvement of staffs’ communications skills. Cost benefit analysis Improvement Recommended Cost of Time Benefits Time spent by manager in Training 25 hours Ãâ€" 3 Ãâ€"  £25 per hour Time spent by 5 account staff 25 hours Ãâ€" 5 Ãâ€"  £15 per hour TOTAL TRAINING COST  £ 1875 1875 3750 The work output will be more accurate due to the raise of standard. The organization will appear more professional, more efficient, meanings fewer errors and problems. Cost of hiring new Accounting staffs  £ 192000 The different responsibilities can be segregated and work will be done faster. Setting up of computers on a network – Cost of hardware – Installation cost  £ 5000 1000 6000 Access to data will be easier which will speed up the work and save time. New accounting Package – Cost of the software – Installation cost – cost of training the staff 10000 3000 3500 16500 Many routine operations will be speeded up, save time and reduces wages bill. 9.2 To carry out a Risk assessment the management will require 2 hours per month. This will discourage and reduce the risk of fraud in the accounting system by identifying the areas of the risk of fraud and then setting up a system in place to detect any possibility of fraud and then deal with it, making the system more reliable. Appendices SWOT Analysis Strengths Record keeping system Using an archiving computer package to store full accounting records. Easy access to past exact copy of company accounting transactions. Sage Payroll software was loaded in the accounts department to enable the new payroll and personnel system to be in house. Excel spreadsheets are used for maintaining the inventory information. Integrated General, Accounts payable and Accounts Receivable set of ledger principal financial accounting system. Internal system of control An information technology policy exist which sets out rules relevant to securing the computer systems. The computer system throughout the company is password protected. A credit rating agency is used to ensure that potentially new credit customers have no history of poor payment. Value of a business rule management system (BRMS) approach to fraud detection benefits: The performance of the rules is high enough to provide real-time detection of anomalies based on several criteria, including multiple sources, transaction values, card-use frequency, merchant and location of the charges. If implemented new detection policies can be activated in hours, instead of months, helping to reduce lost revenue and increase customer satisfaction and provides safety in online transaction.