A Critique Paper on the Article free essay sample

There had been rampant news about economic crises that come and go due to a variety of reasons. More often than not, these crises affected a number of countries, and not surprisingly, a lot of businesses as well, especially those that operated in the affected countries. The issue here now is how a business’s top management will respond when faced with the repercussions of a crisis. Of course, there are many courses of action to choose from, and one of these options is restructuring. Corporate restructuring is entered into by firms that deemed that no other viable options exist but this. The usual form of restructuring is debt restructuring, wherein the creditor and the debtor renegotiate the terms and conditions of the existing debt of the latter in order to make it less onerous to fulfill. It may lead one to wonder why any sensible creditor would agree to this knowing it would be disadvantageous on his part. We will write a custom essay sample on A Critique Paper on the Article or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page One of the main reasons why creditors agree to this arrangement is because of its relationship with the debtor. If it is in good terms with the debtor or has a history of mutual benefit, creditors would then consider this option, notwithstanding the detriments on its part. Restructuring is not also limited to corporate bodies. Any types of businesses, may it be small, medium or large enterprises, may use this option. In fact, this paper tackles the restructuring process and the probability of its success based on small- and medium-sized enterprises, given the following variables of determination enumerated in the paper. II. Main discussion a. Summary of the article This paper aims to measure the likelihood of success of a firm’s restructuring process with a bank’s assistance, given identified factors. To empirically test the paper’s hypothesis, the model is formulated as follows: Success in Restructuring = f (firm size, ROA, debt ratio, debt structure, bank debt, restructuring period, value of collateral) The size of the firm, which is measured using a firm’s total assets, is taken into consideration in determining the outcome of the restructuring process. This is so because it determines the level of resources a firm possesses. In the same vein, the value of collateral is considered as well as the degree of collaterized debt a firm has. The firm’s return on assets (ROA) is included as a measure of the firm’s profitability. The debt ratio, which is the portion of total debt on total assets, is considered for obvious reasons. The debt structure is incorporated to determine mainly the percentage of short-term and longterm to the total debt of the firm. The bank debt, measured as the percentage of debt owed to the bank in relation to the total debt, is taken into consideration. This is so because a firm receiving bank assistance for its debt restructuring may be affected because of their liabilities towards the ones helping them during their tumultuous times. Lastly, the restructuring period is added. A longer period would require more resources to be expended on the part of the distressed firm, in turn affecting the likelihood of success of its restructuring. Since this [paper] was made in the context of the Netherlands, the sample of firms and all other relevant data were taken from said country. The researchers gathered and classified 51 â€Å"successful firms† and 22 â€Å"unsuccessful firms†. The paper employed a qualitative response model (QRM), particularly the logit, to test their model in its multi-variate setting. The results of the empirical test were summarized in the subsequent tables (all taken from the paper): Table 2. 1 shows that both classes of firms were relatively comparable in terms of their size despite the difference (Total assets), but this is significant only at the 10% level, meaning, the size discrepancy is not enough to be a source of bias in the results. In the industry level, it can be seen that the Manufacturing and the Services and Transport industries are the ones that experience a lot of financial distress (results were significant at the 1% level, in other words, really significant). However, it is a different story between the two. The Manufacturing industry has more cases of unsuccessful restructurings whereas it is the other way around for the Services and Transport. The Other industries is also significant (10% level), which can mean that the researchers should have considered more industries rather than lumping them all in one. For the reasons of distress, it is surprising to see that only Overinvestment was significant (5% level). This can explain the reason why Manufacturing is on the top of the list: overinvestment has led the firms to grow at unmanageable levels, which was also coupled by a decreasing demand for the firm’s products, leading to their demise. Table 2. 2 answers the main topic at hand, which is the determination of significant factors (firm characteristics) to the probability of successful restructuring. These figures were taken pre-restructuring. The results show that the significant factors were those that relate to a firm’s debt. Moreover, it can be seen that unsuccessful firms had a really high debt ratio compared to the successful firms. It can therefore be concluded that a firm’s debt condition spells out its success or failure in debt restructuring. b. Significance This study can be useful for firms of all sizes and also to banks, the former to determine if restructuring is a wise decision given their debt situation, and the latter to decide if a financially-distressed irm is worth helping given their financial constraints. To put it simply, it helps both parties (especially the banks) to maximize the use of their resources that will reap them the most benefits. This is also not limited to developed countries, since this can also be applied in developing countries like the Philippines. Policy-makers can also get value from the results of this study by implementing the appropriate rules in connection with t his issue to ensure that the economic condition of the country will be protected from any harm that can emanate from this. III. Relation to class discussion It was actually in class that I have first heard of restructuring, and of course how to address the accounting problems posed by debt restructuring. In relation to this article, it actually deviates from the accounting issues learned in class, and takes it to another level, which is applying it in the real-world context. For my part, journal articles like these make me think that there is more to something that what we initially see. For instance, the class opened my eyes to the accounting perspective of debt restructuring, but this article made me appreciate this topic a whole lot more because of the familiarity I have with the topic and the discussion itself. Moreover, it has enriched my knowledge on the said topic. After this, I am really encouraged to read a lot more to quench my thirst for knowledge not only in my chosen field of expertise, but also in anything I am curious about. After all, living a meaningful and satisfying life is not by being ignorant, but by being curious about the things around you.

These 5 Microsoft Word tweaks that will make your resume shine

These 5 Microsoft Word tweaks that will make your resume shine A good resume is your foot in the door at the best companies. Even if you have a solid background filled with relevant jobs that make you an ideal candidate, you still need your resume’s formatting to sing. Your number one goal is to make it easier and faster for recruiters to read (and fall in love with) your resume. Remember, you likely have only a quick glance of a few seconds to make a first impression- anything sloppy, out of place, or distracting might send you right into the reject pile before a recruiter has even read one word. Read on for the basic checklist you should use to make sure everything is clean and professional in MS Word before you attach and send away.1. Show/Hide formatting and fix sloppiness.Utilize the Show/Hide feature to see if everything is laid out neatly by clicking the button that looks like a backwards â€Å"P† on your Home toolbar or clicking Ctrl+8 or command+8. Now, you can see all the paragraphs you’ve made and your use of spac ebar vs. tabs. Using the now-visible marks, standardize all spaces and delete any that don’t belong. This is your chance to clean up all the messy bits of DIY formatting you did that might not translate well across computers.At this point, align all of your content uniformly. Use the tab stop menu in the top left corner of your document, just to the left of the ruler. Click until you see the tab stop you want, then click the ruler where you want that stop to be. Use bullets for consistent (and easier to adjust) spacing when you’re listing experiences or skills, and use the Line and Paragraph Spacing tool to manage the size of spaces in-between sections, sentences, bullets, and paragraphs.2. Insert a header and footer.Use the header and footer feature to make use of all the precious space you have. You don’t have a lot of space to work with on one page, so you want to use the body of your resume to list skills, work history, and education. Don’t waste this space with contact information- put that at the top and bottom. Just use the â€Å"Insert† tab drop menu to find the kind of header/footer formatting you want, then go nuts.3. Go bold and use bullets.Bold job titles to make them pop. Then, use bolded headers to delineate your sections, and under them, use bullets to list your skills and relevant bits of detail. Formatting your resume like this makes it easy to follow, clean, and organized. Keep your bullet style neat and simple- in most cases, a resume is not the time for creativity.4. Prioritize.Put your best and most relevant experience and skills at the top, moving all the rest (especially if it’s basically filler) to lower sections. The recruiter’s eye reads the top few lines first (and sometimes stops there!). Make sure your best stuff is most easy to find.5. Convert to PDF.To ensure security and to make sure your beautiful formatting work doesn’t get jumbled up on someone’s not-updated machi ne, make sure to click â€Å"Save as† and then convert your final resume into a PDF. A quick double check will show that this new uneditable document is ready to be uniformly read by any recruiters- just as you wanted them to see it.

Share Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Share Analysis - Essay Example In 2013, the company issued about 4850 million of shares in the public and earned market capitalization of  £69,178.56 million. The company occupies about 5% of markets share in this particular market globally with respect to sales revenue. GSK is listed in FTSE 100, FTSE 350 and FTSE All-Share (GlaxoSmithKline plc.,, â€Å"Explore GSK†). The share price performance of GSK has encountered huge fluctuation over the years due to the slide in profit. By considering the performance of FTSE 100, GSK has performed quite well over the period of 10 years. However, there are many controversies and events, which had forced the sales revenue of the company to decline. As per July 23, 2014, the share price of GSK had dropped 4.7% and this drop is the steepest as compared to October 2008. Despite the decrease in share price, the company has anticipated growth of 4% to 8% (MarketWatch, â€Å"Glaxosmithkline Lowers Full-Year Profit Outlook†). This decrease in share price did not de-motivate the investors and they kept on investing in the shares of the company as it shared a good reputation in the market. GSK is the best company for share price analysis as the fluctuations is very interesting to examine and the reason behind the same are practical in the present competitive world (MarketWatch, â€Å"Glaxo Slides in London Af ter Earnings Warning†). The share price of GSK is observed to drop by 3% in the second quarter of 2014. This is because of the decrease in profit from the first quarter of 2014. However, the company has also reported that the operating profit for the second quarter of 2014 has slumped by 25% and the turnover decreased by 13%. The decrease in this company financials have affected the Earning per share (EPS), which have dropped by 25% from the previous year’s performance (Guardian News and Media Limited, â€Å"FTSE Ends Week On A Low Note, While Glaxosmithkline Suggested As Pfizer Target†). The company stated that there have been drastic changes in

Teaching English as a Foreign language Assignment

Teaching English as a Foreign language - Assignment Example Secondly the immigration and migration rates to English speaking countries are quite high even after the low admittance rates existing in such countries. Therefore teaching and learning English as a foreign language has gained great impact. In view of this importance, the methodologies that are being applied are of great significance to people. We would see about ten techniques for teaching English as a second or foreign language in this essay. Firstly a brief introduction shall be conveyed about each of them and some significant applications they could carry out in assisting the teaching of English as a foreign language. Secondly the author of this essay shall share the methodologies that she feels best about using and the argument she has for these choices. The Traditional methods being studied include the direct method, the Audio Lingual approach, and the Grammar-translation method. Traditional methods have a history of focusing on grammar, structure, dictation, and appropriate handling and usage. The concepts though old are still not replaceable in all situations, and at one or the other time teaching English as a foreign language requires their application. Direct Method. The Direct method does not believe in translation and permits students to comprehend meaning directly through the language meant to be learned. Pantomimes and visual aids are used to augment the vocabulary and produce a clear picture of things pertinent to the words. All communication is emphasized to be in the target language. The interaction between the tutor and the pupil becomes more interactive. Practices such as perception of context using intuitive guesses and hints from the teacher or completing the fill- ins are common in this methodology. For example students studying English as a foreign language might be shown different picture cards of the things found in common usage or are part of usual knowledge, like picture cards of

How can inequality undermine the development of a country Essay - 1

How can inequality undermine the development of a country - Essay Example ir contribution to the growth process while the latter â€Å"provides explicitly the growth path subject to technical change due to division of labor†. They posited that scientific, technical and commercial specialization occurs due to the division of labor. Labor is also of the factors that affects economic growth as mentioned by Lindsey (1997). Aside from the growth rate of capital stock, the quantity and quality of labor, and the improvements in the way capital and labor are used are important determinants of economic growth, said Lindsey (1997) further. Adding capital is could imply corporate downsizing and layoff hence it is better to examine labor as factor of growth (Lindsey, 1997). The laborers are humans; they are beings with various social connections and thus, they also have the one referred to as social capital. The process of norm creation leads to cooperation among groups and this makes them related with virtues such as honesty, maintenance of commitments, fulfillment of duties, and reciprocities (Castano, 2007). The effects of social capital to the economic growth have been studied by Castano (2007) through the following sources: family, associations, informal links, links in the workplace and the State. In these social connections, trust networks are also made giving rise to reciprocity among members, contributing to one’s social capital (Castano, 2007). Castano (2007) noted a positive effect of social capital to the economy in the family and associations network when mobilize their financial resources to create companies or keep them running. Transaction costs can be also reduced by social capital since this could alleviate some costs required by a legal norm as said by Castano (2007). As for the State, Castano (2007) mentioned three of its important roles that lead or promote social capital generation and these are the following: regulating the legal framework, promoting associative activities, and providing public education. The endogenous

Concept of Applied Geology

Concept of Applied Geology Introduction The concept of Applied Geology to investigation of the ground for construction, hydrogeology, environmental geology and mining, is fundamental and it is a prerequisite for a durable result in any geological and engineering scheme. The timeline and strength with cost effectiveness and the knowledge of the geology of a terrain in any engineering, mining and geological schemes; roads, borehole drills, bridges, seismic operation, building of factories etc, are fundamentals that a contractor or an organisation embarking on either geological or engineering projects should be equipped with . The need for an established scrutiny and evaluation of geological features in any project sites hold the key for efficacious results in terms of its durability and efficiency. The main criterion for ground investigation varies with the magnitude and scope of a proposed engineering project; the appropriateness of the site, the site conditions, ground properties, and ground data for analysis aims. Ground investigation is the more restrictive phase of specialist intrusive investigation on a site with the associated monitory test and reporting designed to obtain data from three different aspects of the ground conditions, which are drift and soil condition, with laboratory test and application of soil mechanics technique, rock head, whose depth is commonly significant to excavation and foundations; bedrocks, strength and structural variation. The Concept of Ground Investigation (GI) Ground investigation is the concept of providing geotechnical data which are representative of the ground conditions and relevant to the scheme considered. This includes surface and subsurface investigation, laboratory work and factual reporting. When embarking on ground investigations these are some of the ground conditions needed: Fracture conditions of the rocks, with respect to the rock mass strength it determines. Geological history, and stress conditions in the ground, critical to underground engineering, such as mining and tunnels. Ground conditions and slope stability, with regards to pore and joint water pressure. Quaternary evolution, mainly rock weathering and deterioration by erosion. Man made impacts on the ground, which includes contamination of Brownfield sites. Nature and strength of rocks and soil, and the difficulties that these may pose in construction. In attaining the right data for an engineering or geological project, Ground investigation must surpass all the ground conditions for proper established analysis and the geological principles mentioned should be incorporated properly regardless of any unseen circumstances that may arise. Carrying out field assessments through ground investigation at an early stage in a project is very relevant in order to attain a preferred means of accessing the choice of techniques that can be used in preliminary ground investigation. The topography of a terrain is an essential factor for determining a preferential route, which in some cases may need to be modified depending on the nature of the terrain. Access route with low ground and shallow depth to water table which may be subjected to flood with thick organic deposits, such as peat, unstable ground and areas exposed to severe weathering conditions are one of the features in the topography of an area. Nature is the most complex barrier in grou nd investigation with defining features like deep valley, steep hill side, rivers, and huge rock outcrop, such as batholite. However, ground investigation outlines areas where the ground has adequate capacity in strength to sustain weight; most rocks or soil usually take the form of pad especially for construction purposes and mining. One of the major factors in the geological approach is the need to formulate ways of addressing issues that are of great concern in a topographic terrain. Concept for Construction The geological model in ground investigation has been formulated so as present a clearer picture of ground conditions. The concept of these views is presented in 3-D of geological features which are integrated into independent components of ground conditions. These are; Tectonic that outline the background data Geological to provide the broad ground picture Geomorphologic with the near/surface details In order to expose deficiencies of ground condition on site, and focus attention on potential engineering issues the model drawing must be well detailed with required artistic ability. The concept of a geotechnical investigation model is prefer construction model through ground investigation that will provide useful information and detailed design and layout for project managers and some contractors who do not posses geological or geotechnical know how. It has also gone a long way in identifying areas of difficulties, and the scale of potential geo-hazards that may occur and preferred solutions on them. These are the geological model reports that are carried out during ground investigations; Factual data with geological records Interpretation of the ground properties and conditions related to the construction projects, potential problems and the limitations of data. Furthermore, trial pits including headings (horizontal or with slight inclination) and shaft (vertical or with steeps inclination) drill and so called small-scale drill are direct investigation methods which allows an inspection of soil and rock, their sampling and their performance evaluation in the field gives an overview of the suitability of some direct investigation methods for soil and rocks in construction processes. The Concept for Hydrogeology Geology and hydrogeology are used to investigate lithological structures in determining the homogeneity of rocks in locating fractures and understanding the permeability of a rock with regards to water, gas and various contaminants underground in order to assess the mechanical stability and gather data from the groundwater system. In ground investigations, groundwater transport flow can be highlighted in such a manner that aquifers can be estimated and potential contamination analysed. The purpose of geological and hydrogeological surveys is to gain direct information by outcrop examination; digging trenches, boreholes drilling, conducting hydraulic test, such as (pumping test analysis and tracer tests) in wells to determine the situ hydraulic properties of that well. This process has been accomplished by field mapping, drill cores examination, construction and expansion of a network of groundwater observation wells. Sampling of rocks, soil and groundwater are taken, in order to dete rmine the physical, chemical, petrographic and mineralogical parameters in laboratory to analyse the texture of the rock and soil sample. The Concept for Environmental Geology Modern landfill disposal facilities require detailed investigations, in order to ensure that appropriate designs and safety precautions are put in place. Legislations generally require that those responsible for waste disposal facilities to guarantee that the sites are suitably contained as to prevent harming the environment and this can only be carried out by the assistance of the geologists to conducting detailed site investigation. In some cases, this may require that investigations may continue during and after construction of a landfill site, depending on the geological parameters of the environment and the construction mechanism, which may require adequate attention from time to time. Selection of a landfill site for a particular waste or a mixture of wastes involves a consideration of economic and social factors, as well as geological and hydrogeological conditions. A geophysical method was introduced to develop a model to detect and analyse abandoned landfill and contaminated plume in the environment. It is also use in locating fractured zones and obtaining other vital lithologic information from the ground. There are other Valuable ways for a meaningful use of the geophysical methods, such as electrical resistivity method, magnetic, seismic and gravity method; depending on the physical parameters in ground investigation. Geophysical methods supplement each other because they are sensitive for various physical parameters. Ground penetration radar is used in places with low and dry conductivity rock and also to check for contaminants from these landfill areas penetrating through a rock fault to the ground water. Seismic methods are used to investigate structures and lithology. Magnetic and electromagnetic surveys are very helpful in locating concealed landfill sites. These methods are easy and fast to conduct and can cove vast area in a short ti me. Electromagnetic, seismic, gravity and resistivity methods are used for ground water geophysical investigation on a regional scale. Geophysical surveys helps to obtain subsurface data on the possible location of groundwater aquifer and the area where a drill borehole can be located. The Concept for Mining In mining, geologist monitors the rock mass behaviour in ground excavations and tunnels. This rock mass behaviour forms the basis for determining the excavations and its support methods as well as assisting in evaluating and monitoring data during the overall processes. Ground investigation for an underground structure is a difficult task which in many cases does not get a proper analysis. The basic aspect of ground investigation is to develop a consistent ground modelling which includes all the geotechnical and hydraulic aspect necessary for the underground structures as the major concept of the construction contract. Rock geometry modelling and mechanical behaviour of rock masses depends on the understanding of the geological processes and their complex interactions such as deformation, weathering and metamorphosis (Steidl 2003). The correct transfer of the geological to geotechnical rock mass model and its implications into a proper design is one of the most challenging tasks in underground design project. The purpose of a comprehensive mining investigation as a sound geological modelling is for careful selection of rock mass parameters beneath the earth; geologic singularity of rock mass model such as lithological boundaries, faults and aquifers which have significant effects on underground mining, such as tunnel. Singularity data in underground mining or tunnel appear in procedures which can be either measured in boreholes, outcrops, aerial and satellite image in a statistical distributions, sometimes roughly estimated. The rock mass behaviour is as a result of a failure of the rock mass surrounding the underground wall. Each failure mechanism can be computed with appropriate analytical model and classified into defined Behaviour Types (Goricki 2003). Different failure mechanisms can be classified into gravity controlled failure of highly fractured rocks mass, stressed induced failure such as shear failure, key blocks, rock burst, buckling, spalling and plastification and some other failure geologic models. Conclusion Ground investigation, topographical surveys are essential part of the design process for any major infrastructure development. They reveal information about the ground conditions in any given area and even indicate whether the location can support any major structures. Their findings of these surveys not only inform the alignment of the scheme but also construction technics. During ground investigation issues like complex conditions on the ground may arise within a project area. The findings or results after the ground investigation has been finalised will gives a possible means of addressing its causes and prefer ways to minimize its effects by indicating the no go zones. The most common ground condition issues are: Flowing groundwater or methane gas Natural or artificial cavities within bedrock Soil and variable drift materials Weathered, weak or fractured bedrock Active or potential failure and landslide Compressive landfill, with or without soft spots In ground investigation the equivalence of ground features with geological maps are very essential for proper geological details and soil profile. The ground investigation team are primarily made up of geotechnical engineers, geologist and grillers who are accompanied by an archaeologist and ecologist during survey works.

Education Essay -- Teaching Education

Education Education has always been a major priority for me. I was brought up in a family that was centered on education. Both of my grandma’s were teachers. I have sixteen aunts and uncles and all but 3 of them have college degrees. Ten of those a master’s degree, and 4 of them went on to earn their PhD. My parents are both college graduates. Ever since I’ve been old enough to really understand things, they have stressed how important it is to be educated. So growing up I found education to be a vitally important part of my life. Education helps build you up. It allows you to do things that you are not able to do without an education. It is like the old saying, â€Å"education is the building block that makes America grow.† The same can be said for myself. My education is what con...

Discussion on CPTED

In trying to find the connection between defensible space and CPTED we first need to look at the basic definitions used to describe them. Defensible space is an environment, typically residential, whose physical design allows it occupants to aid in their own security. CPTED, on the other hand, is using environmental design to deter the occurrence of criminal activity. The connection between these two terms is that defensible space is referring to the individual physical â€Å"components† that are used in the process of CPTED.The defensible space is the building blocks by which the resulting design is built. Strategies associated with CPTED are natural surveillance and access control. Natural surveillance is applied by utilizing proper lighting positions, placing windows appropriately to allow occupants to easily view sidewalks and parking areas, and using landscape design to aid in surveillance. Applications used in access control strategies include the placement of low, thorn y shrubs below lower level windows, the use of locking gates for access to yards and limiting access through single points of entry.The future for CPTED is bright as new construction of schools, commercial properties and public buildings incorporate the ideas of defensible space in their early design models. This approach, along with an increase in the creation of campus environments, is moving CPTED to the forefront of environmental design, and with increased education, CPTED is building a strong foundation for continued growth.

HACKER Essays - Hacker Culture, Hacking, Identity Theft, Free Essays

HACKER Essays - Hacker Culture, Hacking, Identity Theft, Free Essays The purpose of this essay is to construct a picture of what is a computer hacker, the motives and the way in which hacking takes place. Hackers are people who have been known as a serious hazard to society for actions related to breaching computer systems. Hackers may use a variety of ways to hack into a system. When a hacker is experienced and smart enough, he will use his telnet to access a shell on another machine so that the risk of getting caught is lower than doing it using their own system. Ways in which the hacker will break into the system are: (Hacking motives 2005) One way is that hacker takes guesses at the password or has a crack program to crack the password protecting the system. Second possible way, in which the hacker may get access to the system is to find back doors. This is where the hacker tries to find weaknesses in the system they are trying to enter. A hacker may also try to get into a system by using a program called a WORM. This program is specially programmed to suit the need of the user. This programmer continually tries to connect to a machine at over 100 times a second until eventually the system lets in and the worm executes its program. The program could be anything from getting password files to deleting files depending on what it has been programmed to do. (Hacking 2015) The only possible way to stop a hacker is by not having the computer connected to the net. This is mainly because hackers use a phone line to access the system. One of the main problems is that major companies need to be networked and accessible over the net so that employees can do overdue work or so that people can look up things on that company. There are some motives that hackers have for hacking such as: Some hackers use their skills for criminal activities. On a personal level, a hacker might break into someone's computer and take control of it. Then find passwords and financial information that he could use to defraud the individual. On a larger scale, groups of hackers might target companies as part of a wider criminal operation. On the other hand there are some hackers who use their skills to improve systems and security, informing companies of vulnerabilities so they can fix them. Hence, some companies are keen on hackers' skills to test out systems as a defensive measure. For example, Google runs competitions and invites people to find ways to breach systems. In 2014, it ran a "Pwnium" contest that gave cash prizes to anyone who could compromise various security levels of the Chrome OS. (Why Do People Hack 2014) According to me not every hacker hack for criminal gains. Some of this geniuses benefit society and help develop security. Bibliography: Hacking. NC state university. 2015 Available at: http://ethics.csc.ncsu.edu/abuse/hacking/study.php. [Accessed 20 March 2015]. Hacking motives, High tech brief crime. Australian Government, Australian institute of criminology, 2005. Available at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/htcb/htcb006.pdf [Accessed 13 March 2015]. Why Do People Hack? | eHow. 2014. 23 Oct. Available at: ehow.com/about_4673738_why-do-people-hack.html. [Accessed 20 March 2015].

Travel Industry Investigation

Travel Industry Investigation Introduction It is crucial for every new company to examine the industry to figure out its strengths and weaknesses. Such investigation is needed to analyze competitors, see if there are available positions on the market, and how hard it is to gain customers. Based on the results of the research, a company may develop a list of needed resources that are necessary for the success of chosen strategy.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Travel Industry Investigation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This kind of investigation allows a company to research technologies and methods that are being used by the competitors, and their effectiveness. The travel industry is as a set of various enterprises and organizations that provide numerous services. Competitive Environment The growth rate of the travel industry in the last few years has been extremely rapid. Currently, The United States and China are two leading countri es in this business. The travel industry has directly contributed $2,364.8B to the world’s GDP, and its total contribution was $7,580.9B in 2014 (Ali, 2015). These numbers are enormous and make travel business play a huge role in the global economy. This industry has supported 105,408,000 job spots, and it has invested $814,4B in 2014 (Ali, 2015). It is necessary for the industry to keep developing, so new jobs are created. Travel contributes to total GDP through such commodities as transportation and entertainment (Ali, 2015). This business is impacted by seasonality, and it is one of the core issues of this industry. There are so called high season and low season. Travel companies gain the most profit during the high season, and tickets are rarely bought during the low season. This happens because travelling is extremely dependent on changes in climate. Summer is often the most profitable season because of holidays and vacations. Some customers prefer to visit certain count ries during a particular time of year. The economic situation is also crucial because this industry is extremely sensitive to economic changes. Schoinas and OConnell (2011) state that the global economic recession has had a severe impact on the air transport industry (p. 354). This claim signifies that this industry still suffers from the consequences of the recession just like the others. There are sub-industries such as hotel chains, trade and transportation companies, travel agencies and others. The hospitality industry is one of the biggest sub-industries. It provides transportation, lodging, and other services. Some enterprises in the travel business develop technologies, some provide services, and some offer support to other companies.Advertising Looking for research paper on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Alliances and partnerships are often formed on beneficial terms to provide each ot her with a range of services. Overall, this industry is developing at an extremely fast rate, and it should not stop anytime soon. Expedia is the leader of this industry in the United States. Currently, it holds about 26% of the market share thanks to the acquisition of an innovative search engine (Trefis Team, 2014). The biggest competitor for Expedia is Orbitz Worldwide, and it holds 21 percents of market share based on the available data (Trefis Team, 2014). The next biggest competitors are Priceline and Travelocity. Their combined market share is around 95 percents, and it allows them to set the standards for other firms. Industry Environment Every single company in the travel industry chooses a primary group of clients and continues to focus on that group. Some prefer to offer their services to leisure travelers and others focus on business passengers. It is necessary for every company to select and focus on the particular target market. The determination of the target group is one of the biggest problems. The primary customers are those with average or high income. Every travelling company focuses on a selected group of clients and picks the position in the market. Robinson (2009) states that a review of its internal resources and competencies can enable the business to determine its future strategic direction (p. 114). Differently put, it is necessary to investigate the available resources for a company in the travel industry. The key suppliers are travel agencies. Currently, the market is stable because of new technologies. However, it is extremely prone to changes in the environment because it is extremely complex and not stable. Xiang and Formica (2007) state that the environment changes constantly and generates uncertainty for decision makers in the organizations that are responsible for identifying external opportunities and threats (p. 1194). This means that it is relatively hard for managers to develop strategies based on analyzed data, and becau se of this environmental scanning is often used. Key issues of this industry are problems with registration and problems with excessive emission. The whole industry is regulated by the government. The United States Environmental Protection Agency plans to set new emission standards because currently it is not controlled that well. Such regulations have a huge impact on the industry because travel companies may need to develop new technologies to meet the standards.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Travel Industry Investigation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Financial Aspects Total travel expenditures in the United States were $136,700B in 2014 (The World Bank, 2015). Average annual costs for information technologies are $20B each year. The average annual expenditures are ten percents of revenue. Schinasi (2003) claims that the market is stable if there is an absence of the kind of volatility that could hav e severe economic consequences (p. 4). In other words, the market stability is dependent on how prices vary. Multimodal Transport System, Hadoop tools, Mobile Retail Solution, Fully-Integrated Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity System, and Real Time Content are often deployed. Such systems are different, but they are implemented to enhance the experience of customers. The number of travel applications is enormous. Most of them are available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. The most popular applications are entirely free, and paid applications often have better functionality. Such applications like Uber allow users to take a taxi from the phone in foreign countries (Talty, 2015). Similarly, Waze is an extremely useful GPS navigator that lets one to read traffic reports that were submitted by other users. WeatherPro is a great travel application for those interested in weather reports. A user is able to get detailed information about flight paths with FlightTrack. XE Currency is the leading application for currency conversion. Similarly, Converter Plus allows other types of operations besides the standard one. Entrain is a quite innovative applications that can help one to beat the jet lag. Packing Pro is extremely helpful because it suggests a list of items that you may want to pack for a vacation. Perfect World Clock is a great addition to the arsenal of applications for those who travel a lot, and it is hard for them to keep track of time zones. Skyscanner is a leader among booking applications. It allows its users to have a quick access to detailed information about price changes. Similarly, Hostelworld helps users to book cheap hotels and read customer reviews. Stayful lets one to find a hotel based on the budget and also helps with the process of negotiation. Google, MeteoGroup and Uber are the leading developers of this kind of applications. Overall, there are all kinds of travel applications, and they make visits to other countries much more comf ortable for the customers while being extremely profitable. Standards Standards are crucial for this industry because the safety of customers is of utmost importance. There are companies that focus on raising the standards in the travel business such as ABTA that functions for 65 years already. There are two standard bodies in this industry.Advertising Looking for research paper on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More International Air Transportation Association provides a range of protocols and other information that may be purchased. OnepTravel Alliance is another standard body that transfers information and supports various standards. NDC Program creates standards for communication for the whole industry. Trends and Innovation Currently, there are four technology trends in the travel industry: cloud enablement, social media explosion, the mobile revolution, and analytics (Peterson, 2014). The first trend allows companies to interact with the customers in entirely different ways because of changes in the way the data is accessed. Social media is a great way for travel companies to promote themselves, and it is an extremely useful when gathering information about the clients. The mobile revolution has led to dramatic changes in the way travelling is perceived. The positioning of the relatives is no longer a matter of concern because of new mobile services. New technologies allow customers to sha re their travelling experience with others via photos or blogs, and the profit of travel companies is increased as a result. The last trend is so important because it allows companies to have a better understanding of the recorded information. Predictions and strategies are developed based on the received data. New models of aircraft should also have an enormous impact on the industry. However, some companies like Southwest Airlines prefer to use only one type of jet airliners because fleet commonality has numerous advantages from the logistic and economic standpoint. Aircraft of the same kind is much easier to repair, and standard parts are easier to attain. Another important aspect that should be noted is that there is no need for additional training of employees if only a single type of aircraft is being used. However, there are limited opportunities for progression and development when the airline does not offer long range flights. Maintenance costs are enormous and hard to mana ge because of a number of flights that take place each day. Mobile and Internet services are game changers for this industry. Smartphones allow customers to order tickets at last possible minutes. There are mobile applications that guide users through a country in the way a human guide would. Web sites offer travel suggestions that are personalized based on the collected and analyzed data. All the information about travelling is available in real-time and can be easily accessed, and many customers find it extremely convenient. New technologies also allow companies to advertise their services in different, previously not possible ways. There are organizations that specialize in the development of new technologies for this industry. Google is one of the leaders because it offers a number of services such as the Google Maps and Google Now. Google Glass and Smartwatches are going to become a future of this business if they become more affordable for an average customer. Geolocation serv ices also have changed the industry. These services help users with keeping track of their positioning not just outside but even indoors. Visited locations are also remembered, and it is helpful in case of emergency. A possibility of space tourism should also significantly impact the industry. However, it is still in the relatively early stage of development. Tours to Europe are becoming increasingly more popular. There are such hot spots as Netherland, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Germany, France and Slovakia. Also, there are countries that were always popular with tourists such as India, Japan and Costa Rica among others. Conclusion In conclusion, the travel industry is enormous, and there is always room for competition. It is paramount for the global economy because of its contribution to the world’s GDP and the number of job spots it currently supports. This business continues to grow at incredibly fast rates thanks to the introduction of new technologies and con tinuous increase in the interest of customers. Travelling is relatively affordable nowadays, and not the way it used to be years ago. Companies in this industry always develop new strategies and methods to make sure that the customers are satisfied. Clients of travelling companies prefer to stay loyal, and it is necessary to keep such customers. However, the industry’s economic sensitivity and the fact that it is so hugely impacted by seasonality prevent this industry from even further development. Nevertheless, the travel industry is huge, and it is the future of entertainment. References Ali, R. (2015). Five charts that explain the size of the global travel industry in 2015. Retrieved from http://skift.com/2015/04/13/five-charts-that-explain-the-size-of-the-global-travel-industry-in-2015/ Peterson, S. (2014). Four ways technology is reinventing the travel industry. Retrieved from forbes.com/sites/ibm/2014/09/29/four-ways-technology-is-reinventing-the-travel-industry/ Robins on, P. (2009). Operations management in the travel industry. Wallingford, UK: CABI. Schinasi, G. (2003). Responsibility of Central banks for stability in financial markets. Washington, DC.: International Monetary Fund. Schoinas, D., OConnell, J. (2011). The airline retail industry: a customers perspective. World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 3(4), 353-375. Talty, A. (2015). Best Travel Apps for 2015. Retrieved from forbes.com/sites/alexandratalty/2014/12/11/best-travel-apps-for-2015/ The World Bank. (2015). International tourism, expenditures (current US$). Retrieved from http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.XPND.CD Trefis Team (2014). Competitive landscape of the U.S. online travel market is transforming. Retrieved from forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/04/08/competitive-landscape-of-the-u-s-online-travel-market-is-transforming/ Xiang, Z., Formica, S. (2007). Mapping environmental change in tourism: A study of the incentive travel industry. Tourism Man agement, 28(5), 1193-1202.

PHY 131 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

PHY 131 - Assignment Example Sources of errors include; One procedure during the experiment involves measuring the horizontal distance travelled by the block after being released from the top of the inclined plane. In this context, there were possibilities of parallax error. Parallax error results from the distance between the observer’s eye and the measuring scale. Parallax error occurs whenever the observer’s eye fails to squarely align with the scale. Therefore, there is a possibility of parallax error when measuring distance ‘x’ travelled by the block. Systematic errors usually occur whenever observation features as one procedure used in collecting experimental data. Technically, it is almost impossible to start and stop the watch at precisely the ideal moment in time throughout the experiment. With respect to the experiment, stop watch error may have affected all the five entries of time. In this regard, it will be accounted as a constant systematic error throughout the experiment. Typical instruments like rulers will not lack resolution errors. In the energy and kinematic experiment, values obtained for distance ‘x’ contains instrument resolution errors. The ruler used had finite scale, thus limiting the ability to precisely obtain small measurements. Conventionally, electronic meters would measure slight adjustment in distance (Arlene 41). However, precision and resolution of rulers are limited by the finite scale, and cannot measure fractions of a millimeter. In physics experiments, precision of procedures is important in ensuring accuracy of data obtained. For repetitive procedures, changing a physical aspect like reversing one side of the block will cause a substantial error in reproducibility. When combined with other errors, physical variations cause considerable imprecision of empirical values. In conclusion, it is undeniable that numerous types of errors are responsible

Is there a right to self-determination outside of the context of Essay

Is there a right to self-determination outside of the context of decolonisation - Essay Example The United Nations has created the rights of self-determination as a privilege of peoples under alien and colonial dominations. The right of self-determination is not available to peoples who live in an organised form of a State, which is neither under the control of alien or colonial influence as the UN resolution 1514(XV)4 bar any initiative intended to disrupt either partially or totally the national unity or territorial integrity of a nation. Thus, self-determination means that states and their subjects have the privilege to liberate themselves from foreign domination. If any state is under foreign domination or controlled by foreign powers can exercise the right to self-determination and thus, they have the right to oust the invaders and reinstate independence. However, self-determination may occur outside of the context of decolonisation in situations like human rights violation, oppression of minority and indigenous people’s rights5. This research essay will analyse in detail the circumstances in which determination may occur outside of the context of decolonisation in detail. ... Thirdly, the privilege of people to secede. Fourthly, to decide their constitution, this includes their autonomous status. Finally, the privilege to persue democracy. The first three categories mentioned above will fall under external feature of self-determination whereas the last two are known as the internal aspect of self-determination6. The two Covenants to the Self-determination (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESC) 7, and the UN General Assembly Resolutions 1514 and 26258 , acknowledged the right of all peoples to self-determination, which is restricted to colonial scenarios or only to colonial people. However, there are situations where self-determination has been acknowledged as applicable outside the background of decolonisation9. Despite the fact that UN General Assembly lacks the authority to enact any laws , legal experts accept that its resolutions can become customary inte rnational law.It is to be noted that Article 73 (Declaration Regarding Non-Self-Governing States) of the UN Charter is regarded as ascertaining self-determination as a principle of international law. Thus, by virtue of Article 73, UN resolutions 1514 and 2625 attain Customary International Law status10. The right of self-determination should be acknowledged outside the colonial background also. Self-determination as a basic right is to be applicable to all people and should not be restricted to those people with the historical background. It would be irrational to grant the rights of self-determination to some groups and to refute it to others. Thus, to acknowledge the privilege of secession for group of people with the colonisation background and to refute this