Cakes Health Effects on Humans Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cakes Health Effects on Humans - Essay Example Sugar is a substance easy to abuse but when one is aware of the health effects, the decision requires a re-thinking. Seslar (p.67) discovered that sugar presents a very tempting likelihood of abuse and it often leads to addiction. Sadly, as the abuse keeps taking place so does health deterioration. Consequently, in the end, the person has too much sugar in the body hence leading to some health concerns. Apart from rendering one’s teeth less useful, cakes tend to have other preservatives that have been found to be a health risk to many. Howard and Wylie-Rosett (p.24) noted that due to lack of monitoring, many cakes are made with little regard for health thus posing a real health risk. Unfortunately, not many people take time to investigate some of the purported ingredients. Even though many cakes are portrayed as ones reach with all the necessities the body requires, the opposite is the truth in many cases. Sugar is a necessity to the body but moderation has to be practiced or else memory capability will decline significantly. It was noted that too much consumption of foods with excessive sugar could lead to decreased memory (Avena, Pedro and Bartley p.24). Normally, this occurs because many, if not all, of the cakes consumed, are cooked containing significant amounts of sugar. Worse still, the consumers of these cakes take them in large quantities thus increasing the amount in the body. Whereas this paper is not necessarily demonizing cakes, it is the manufacturers’ tendency to focus on money that makes the situation worse. On the other hand, the consumers escalate the situation by consuming without control. Even though health concerns have been raised about the cakes, it is imperative to state that wheat, an ingredient of cakes, plays an essential role in humans’ health.

Ethics Scholarship Essay Essay Example for Free

Ethics Scholarship Essay Essay One ethical issue to which I became aware of while in college mainly involved cases illegal drugs, bribery, and cheating. Although there is an existing law against illegal drugs and most schools and universities are very stringent in imposing penalties for illegal activities and other things that are criminal in nature, sadly there are still some students who find ways to break those rules, especially outside the campus. While I am not the one involved in these illegal activities, I felt that I had a moral obligation because two of my classmates were involved. These classmates of mine were actually good people, but unfortunately, they ended up with the wrong company. It took place not very long ago, during a house party held by one of the rich students in the university. This certain student, whom I personally know, constantly held parties in his/her lavish house. My two classmates were not invited because the host of the party didn’t like their introvert nature. They were very shy, had very little friends, and were only interested in playing video games and the like. Nevertheless, as I have mentioned above, they were people who possessed values. The problem is they just lacked social skills. One day in class, I noticed that they were talking to a guy who was a notorious rule breaker in the university and was one of the friend of the rich person mentioned earlier. Later, I found out that they were invited to one of the parties held by the rich person and they were both very excited to go as it was their first time to have the change to mingle with a lot of people. On the night of the party, I was to see them talking to a couple of girls and boys. Although I do not wish to judge them, I was a bit confused because, as mentioned above, they were very shy and were not the type of people who would approach someone for a casual conversation. I felt happy for my two classmates but I noticed that certain things about them started to change in the succeeding months. There were instances that they were absent from class, which was something they never did, and there were also times that they were asleep during a lecture or an exam. After some time, I spoke with one of the two and found out that the reason behind their unusual behavior was because of illegal drugs. This person further revealed that they were invited to the rich student’s party on the condition that they would do the assignments of a group of people who were close to of him/her (rich student). This classmate of mine also told me that they were doing drugs because it was considered â€Å"cool† among their new circle of friends. However, the main problem was that both these classmates of mine were nearly failing a lot of their subjects due to their absences and neglect. Because I was concerned for them, I sought the help of fellow students who were also concerned and together we notified the university officials on condition of anonymity. Although it was the right thing to do, I had an ethical dilemma because as a result of my actions, my two classmates were indefinitely suspended from school and were taken to a rehabilitation facility. I was very bothered at first because in a way, I cost them a lot by revealing their secret illegal activities. But after several months, I realized that it was the only thing to do because I didn’t want their future to be ruined by drugs. Basically, this event has impacted me in such a way that I carefully choose whom I associate with. Although I have a lot of friends, I only trust people whom I am sure would not give in to negative influences and to peer-pressure from the wrong ground. It also made me more vigilant and more careful of people who are trying to be nice to me but actually have ulterior motives. On the business perspective, it made me more cautious in dealing with alleged â€Å"easy money† gimmicks and deals which are perpetrated by people who have questionable backgrounds. In short, it made me wiser and clever in terms of business dealings because now I am more aware of the capabilities of certain people who only claim to offer good deals but in truth, do not offer anything of value at all.

Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two E

Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two B. F. Skinner revolutionized the field of psychology through his numerous writings on behaviorism. However, he began his collegiate life as an English major, and his education in literary techniques and devices clearly shows through in the manipulation of metaphor in his famous novel Walden Two. Although Skinner rarely diverges from the incessant description of behavioral engineering through his mouthpiece in the novel, Frazier, he occasionally digresses from the theory and application of scientific experimentation to the literary elements that are essential to any novel. One of these elements, the metaphor of the sheep that appears at the beginning and end of the book, clearly embodies three principles of Skinner’s behaviorist rationale: the superiority of positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement, the necessity for humans to accept their roles, and the function of the Walden Code to the members of Walden Two. The novel begins in the disillusioned atmosphere of post-World War Two America. Burris, a psychology professor and the main character of the novel, views his academic life with indifference, sharing this attitude toward teaching with his philosophy professor colleague, Castle. A former pupil of Burris, Rodge, and a fellow soldier, Steve, return from the war, and dissatisfied with what they are expected to do with their lives, approach Burris with a proposition. A former classmate of Burris’, Frazier, has started a utopian community by the name of Walden Two, and the two friends invite Burris and Castle to accompany them on a visit. When they arrive, the enthusiastic, egotistical Frazier leads th... ...erimental nature of the Code. Frazier says how it is encouraged â€Å"to view every habit and custom with an eye to possible improvement. A constant experimental attitude toward everything† (25). This applies to the Code as well, which changes whenever the members feel that it is necessary. Even though Skinner made a name for himself through his scientific endeavors, his novel Walden Two displays his literary training and knowledge. By using the metaphor of the sheep to further explain the lives of Walden Two members in an enriching and scholarly way, Skinner manages to weave science and art together. His ability to enforce the ideas of positive reinforcement, acceptance of roles, and the politics of the Walden Code through the simplicity of a flock of sheep shows his literary merit. Skinner proves that he is not only a scientist, but a writer as well. Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two E Skinner’s Use of Metaphor in Explaining the Behaviorism of Walden Two B. F. Skinner revolutionized the field of psychology through his numerous writings on behaviorism. However, he began his collegiate life as an English major, and his education in literary techniques and devices clearly shows through in the manipulation of metaphor in his famous novel Walden Two. Although Skinner rarely diverges from the incessant description of behavioral engineering through his mouthpiece in the novel, Frazier, he occasionally digresses from the theory and application of scientific experimentation to the literary elements that are essential to any novel. One of these elements, the metaphor of the sheep that appears at the beginning and end of the book, clearly embodies three principles of Skinner’s behaviorist rationale: the superiority of positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement, the necessity for humans to accept their roles, and the function of the Walden Code to the members of Walden Two. The novel begins in the disillusioned atmosphere of post-World War Two America. Burris, a psychology professor and the main character of the novel, views his academic life with indifference, sharing this attitude toward teaching with his philosophy professor colleague, Castle. A former pupil of Burris, Rodge, and a fellow soldier, Steve, return from the war, and dissatisfied with what they are expected to do with their lives, approach Burris with a proposition. A former classmate of Burris’, Frazier, has started a utopian community by the name of Walden Two, and the two friends invite Burris and Castle to accompany them on a visit. When they arrive, the enthusiastic, egotistical Frazier leads th... ...erimental nature of the Code. Frazier says how it is encouraged â€Å"to view every habit and custom with an eye to possible improvement. A constant experimental attitude toward everything† (25). This applies to the Code as well, which changes whenever the members feel that it is necessary. Even though Skinner made a name for himself through his scientific endeavors, his novel Walden Two displays his literary training and knowledge. By using the metaphor of the sheep to further explain the lives of Walden Two members in an enriching and scholarly way, Skinner manages to weave science and art together. His ability to enforce the ideas of positive reinforcement, acceptance of roles, and the politics of the Walden Code through the simplicity of a flock of sheep shows his literary merit. Skinner proves that he is not only a scientist, but a writer as well.

Insurance History Essay

Some 2,000 years ago in Roman times a form of life insurance was practiced by burial societies who paid out funeral costs of members funded by monthly contributions. It is thought that these were year to year arrangements but unfortunately there is not enough evidence remaining to be exact on how they operated. In Britain in the middle ages Trade Guilds provided funeral costs to members in much the same way. The earliest life insurance policy in England was recorded as being effected on the 15th June 1583. The policy was on the life of a William Gybbons (a salter in the City of London) and was taken out by a Richard Martin. The premium was set at  £8 per  £100 pounds of benefit insured. Even at that early date it is of interest that when the policy ended in a claim there was dispute between the insurer and the policy holder over whether the policy should pay up. Luckily for Richard Martin he won the case and the insurer lost. In those days life insurance policies where underwritt en by individuals as opposed to insurance companies. It was also common practice for people to take out life policies on the rich and famous in the hope that they might benefit if that person died. We would have regarded it as a form of gabling. The first actual life insurance company was the Annuity Association founded by the Rev Dr Assheton on the 4th October 1699. Unfortunately this company only survived for 46 years before going bankrupt. Many life insurers were set up as mutual companies where ownership of the company was among the members of the life fund. The policies did not have fixed sums insured as they do today, but instead the fund would pay out what it could afford based on the number of people in the fund that died that year. Now we can be thankful that life insurance has developed since those days. Most policies offer fixed sum insured which can be up to very large amounts. There are a numerous number of insurers all vying for your business. Not only are there pure protection policies but also those which are also linked to some form of investment factor. Life insurance law has grown up and now there are several layers of protection for the naà ¯ve consumer. Whilst all these changes have been good for the co nsumer it also means that the consumer needs to be more aware of what type of life policy they need and where best to purchase that cover. Choice is a wonderful commodity but you need to be able to make a wise selection. More recent changes have been in the growth of life insurers and life insurance  intermediaries who are using the internet as a place of business. Here costs can be controlled, wider markets searched at the click of a mouse and policies handled and concluded at a faster pace. Why not check out what term life cover you could get by visiting http://www.protected.co.uk/ This article was written on the 15th February 2007. This article does not represent ‘financial advice’ as each persons individual requirements will be unique to their needs. If there is something in the article which you which to rely on then please check those details with any person from whom you purchase a term life policy at the time of purchase.

Japanese Smes Going Global: Lessons from “German Mittelstand”

United International Business Schools Executive MBA, Brussels Campus â€Å"International Economics† Japanese SMEs going global: Lessons from â€Å"German Mittelstand† By Pascal Gudorf January 2013 Contents 1. Introduction 2. Japan’s SMEs and overseas business 2. 1 SMEs and their role in the export economy 2. 2 Challenges of starting overseas activities 3. Initiatives for the promotion of overseas business 3. 1 Public support system for globalizing SMEs 3. 2 Export promotion through trade fair participation 3. 3 Foreign direct investment and financial support 3. Human resources development for global activities 4. Conclusion References Figures 2 4 4 6 8 8 10 11 12 13 15 17 1 1. Introduction Japan and Germany share many similar economic characteristics. As the third and fourth largest economies in the world, both boast highly skilled labor forces and are leading manufacturers of industrial goods such as automobiles, machinery, chemicals, electronics and other high- tech products. But while Germany has been on a robust recovery track and relatively unaffected by the financial crisis, Japan’s economy has been suffering from deflation and sluggish domestic demand.Its growth prospects are further subdued because of its shrinking population. Exports have been the main driver of economic growth in recent years. In Germany, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are highly active in international trade and responsible for a large share of exports. Germany‘s midsized companies, known as ‘Mittelstand’, are the backbone of its economy. As the â€Å"German economy is doing well in comparison with many other countries, this is causing people all around the world to take a particularly keen look atGermany, and especially at the ‘German Mittelstand’ and its longstanding record of high employment and productivity. †, notes the Federal Ministry of Economic and Technology (BMWI, 2012). Coined â€Å"hidden champ ions† by Hermann Simon, the most successful and innovative of them are world-leaders in their field. Although many of them started from humble beginnings and are still family-owned today, they have globalized early on. According to Simon’s research more than 1,000 hidden champions exist in Germany, many more than in all other countries combined including Japan (Simon, 2012).He sees them as the main contributors to Germany’s international competitiveness. Some economists and policy-makers therefore recommend other countries to emulate them as a role model. The success of Germany’s midsized companies or â€Å"hidden champions† has not gone unnoticed. In its latest White Paper on International Economy and Trade, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI, 2012, p. 503) refers to Germany’s â€Å"excellent small and medium-sized companies† which have pursued a two-pillar strategy of high specialization in their fields of e xpertise combined with global marketing.With sales of up to 4 billion euro, many hidden champions have outgrown the size of a traditional SME. But even among German SMEs with less than 250 employees according to the definition of the European Commission, almost 20% of all companies are engaging in direct exports. In contrast to their German peers, most Japanese SMEs today still remain focused on the domestic market. While their numbers have been growing in recent years, less than 3% of all SMEs with less than 300 employees are export-oriented. The contrast is even more pronounced in the case of 2 oreign direct investment. While in Germany 17% of all SMEs have invested abroad, the percentage among Japanese SMEs is as low as 0. 3% (METI, 2012, p. 503). The smaller their size, the lower the proportion of companies engaged in exports and foreign direct investment. Although small and medium-sized companies dominate Japan’s industrial structure, few of them are involved in internat ional trade. Exports have traditionally been carried out by general trading companies or by large multinational manufacturers, for which SMEs work as subcontractors in vertical supplier networks.But as domestic demand is shrinking, many Japanese SMEs need to look beyond their home turf for business opportunities in new markets. Encouraging SMEs to expand their overseas business therefore is seen as an important step towards revitalizing the Japanese economy. The Japanese government has set up schemes to promote overseas business expansion. In July 2012, it included SMEs as one of the four main pillars in its â€Å"New Growth Strategy† besides healthcare, environment and agriculture. Still, many SMEs seem to lag their German peers in overseas activities. What are the factors that keep Japanese SMEs from going abroad?How can government initiatives effectively address these challenges? And what are their results? Based on company surveys and statistical data of exports and forei gn direct investment, this paper will first look into the recent trend of global activities by small and medium-sized businesses in Japan. It will then compare initiatives for the export and investment promotion of SMEs in both Germany and Japan and try to assess their results. By referring to available data and company surveys, the paper will try to show a positive linkage between overseas activities and job creation at home.It will also argue that government initiatives succeed in supporting a company’s first steps on a foreign market, but that they have to be accompanied by support activities by the parent company in order to secure long-term success. Finally, the paper will highlight fundamental differences in economic structure, management practices and the labor market between Germany and Japan, which need to be addressed in order to facilitate overseas business for Japanese SMEs. 3 2. Japan’s SMEs and overseas business 2. 1 SMEs and their role in the export econ omyOutside of Japan much of its postwar economic success has been credited to automotive and electronic giants such as Toyota, Nissan and Panasonic with their strong export machines and global manufacturing presence. SMEs have often been ignored despite the crucial role they play in the Japanese economy. Companies with less than 300 employees make up 99. 7% of all 4. 2 million companies. They employ 69% of the labor force and create 53% of value-added in the manufacturing sector. The reason for SMEs being so little known is that most of them are domestic companies with little or no international exposure.According to the 2012 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises, only 2. 7% of all SMEs in the manufacturing sector are â€Å"export-oriented† (SMEA, 2012). The majority of small businesses remain isolated from international markets and foreign competition. Japan therefore has been described as a â€Å"dual economy† consisting of relatively few large, highly advanced , multinational companies on the one hand and a huge number of traditional, domesticoriented, small businesses on the other. In his 1990 book The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Michael Porter already warned that unless Japan overcame this dualism, its future would be at stake.What he observed, was a lack of competition in sectors apart from machinery, automotive and electronics: â€Å"While domestic rivalry is intense in every industry in which Japan is internationally successful, however, it is all but absent in large sectors of the economy† (Katz, 1996). Porter’s warning statement seems to have fulfilled itself twenty years later, as Japan slides into its third decade of slow or no growth. Sectors such as construction, paper, food and agriculture are still characterized by a lack of international competition. Almost none of these industries have produced successful global players.Nevertheless, there is a rising tendency among small and medium-sized businesses to r each out for global markets. Although still small in number, SMEs with export activities have increased by two thirds from 3,568 to 5,937 between 2002 and 2009 (Figure 1). According to Bank of Japan figures, exports accounted for 4. 4% of SMEs’ sales in 2002, but this had risen to 7. 4% by 2008. Large enterprises saw their exports grow from 23. 7% of sales to 27. 8% over the same period. In sales volumes, SMEs’ exports doubled to 5 trillion yen (43 billion euro) while those for big companies grew a more modest 37% to 71. trillion yen (622 billion euro) (EIU, 2010, p. 14). 4 Foreign direct investment by SMEs is also on the rise: the number of small businesses in the manufacturing sector investing overseas increased from 2,013 to 2,869 between 2001 and 2009 surpassing that of large manufacturers by almost 20% (SMEA, 2012). In JETRO’s annual survey among 2,800 companies engaged overseas, 71% of SMEs responded they planned to actively expand their overseas business, while only 47% intended to expand their domestic operations (JETRO, 2012a, p. ). Comparing with earlier surveys, the proportion of companies looking into business opportunities abroad is one fourth higher than in 2008 showing a steady increase year by year. This recent surge in international activities is due to a number of factors: a shrinking domestic market, the relocation of clients’ manufacturing facilities overseas, the opening up of traditional supplier networks to foreign competition, cheap labor and new business opportunities in emerging markets such as China and Southeast Asia.It is often said that overseas investment will lead to a shift in production, a â€Å"hollowing-out† of the domestic industrial base, and job redundancies at home. Individual company data, however, suggest that the opposite is the case. According to figure 2, parent companies have grown after the beginning of overseas investment (JSBRI, 2012, p. 95). Comparing SMEs with foreign direct investment with those that have not been active in FDI at all, one can clearly show a positive correlation of overseas expansion and job creation at home.SMEs observe other financial and operational benefits of investment in overseas production bases as well, such as an increase in profits, a reduction in cost and a speedier response to requests in their host market (JSBRI, 2012, p. 94). When asked about their regional focus of expansion in the next three years, Japanese companies put China on top of the list in every category from sales operations to production to R&D. Among the firms operating in China, half of them have located their bases in Shanghai.Thailand, Indonesia and India also rank high and are considered as more attractive sales destinations than the USA and other developed markets such as Western Europe (JETRO, 2012a). Regarding industries, production machinery, chemicals, electrical machinery and fabricated metal account for 43% of all exporting companies in the manuf acturing sector. Looking in more detail at different industries, one can observe significant differences in export orientation. While 15% of all chemical manufacturers and 7% of electronics parts and device manufacturers are involved in exports, only 1. % of all textile manufacturers and just 0. 7% of food processing companies export their products (JSBRI, 2012, p. 250). This drastic gap highlights the dualism of globally competitive and non-productive, domestic industries. 5 For small and medium-sized wholesalers with up to 100 employees as well, exporters of machinery, equipment, and chemicals prevail, while those for apparel, agriculture and food remain in the minority (JSBRI, 2012, pp. 71-72). But the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO, 2012b) observes a rising number of companies in the food and non-manufacturing sectors such as retail, wholesale and services.In the fields of agricultural, forestry and marine products and foodstuff, â€Å"many SMEs, even in the face of e conomic headwinds such as appreciation of the yen, are continuing to make efforts to exploit overseas markets. † Small companies involved in overseas business, however, still are the exception in Japan, even in the relatively productive manufacturing sector. The proportion of companies with export activities decreases by size. According to the â€Å"White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2011†, one out of four manufacturing companies with 401 to 500 employees is involved in exports.For companies with 101 to 200 employees the proportion falls further to one out of eight. And when it comes to companies with 41 to 50 employees, only one out every 20 has export activities (METI, 2011, p. 12). The low number overall, and particularly among smaller companies, is striking when we think of Japan as one of the world’s major trading nations. From the figures above, we can conclude that a major part of the Japanese economy is not taking part in the international div ision of labor and leaving business opportunities untapped.The conspicuously low number hints at underlying obstacles and challenges hindering overseas market expansion. We will look at these in the next section. 2. 2 Challenges of starting overseas activities As shown above, the proportion of Japanese SMEs developing operations overseas is still rather limited and activity tends to be greater in larger companies and in certain industries. In order to succeed in overseas markets, SMEs face certain barriers and have to overcome many challenges.The Survey on the Enhancement of SMEs’ Competitiveness through Overseas Business Expansion commissioned by the SME Agency in November 2011, looked at requirements that have to be met for companies to go abroad. More than 50% of all companies with export activities regarded having customers and a reliable partner as vital requirements for starting to export, underlining the importance placed on securing customers first (JSBRI, 2012, p. 82 ). Comparatively high proportions of enterprises also cited knowledge of local legal systems, business practices and trends in export markets as well as in-house expertise in exports, suggesting the 6 mportance of building knowledge of export markets and export procedures. One third of the respondents considered financial issues such as financial reserves or the prospect of turning a profit as important, but they did regard them as determining factors. In the case of FDI, however, financial reserves were considered as crucial by three quarters of all companies with overseas sales or production bases. 60% cited the knowledge of the host market’s legal system and business practices as important requirement suggesting the need for research and consultation prior to investing overseas.Having customers and reliable partners were also cited by more than half of all respondents. Questioned about challenges and risks, almost 50% of all companies considered the identification and coll ection of information on local market needs as particularly difficult. Marketing in the local market, securing business partners and terms of the local market were also cited to be important issues by more than one third of all respondents, while financing or credit issues only worried 22%. The lack of adequate human resources with international experience is another, if not the most important factor hindering overseas activities.In a 2010 SMEA survey, the â€Å"failure to secure human resources at home† was cited by 37% of all manufacturers as the main reason for giving up plans to invest overseas. It was regarded as more important than finding the right business partner, information collection or financing (METI, 2012, p. 280). JETRO (2012b, p. 15) notes that â€Å"large Japanese corporations are able to secure and foster global human resources through regular fulltime employment of foreign workers, sending young workers still new to their respective fields abroad and cond ucting overseas executive training programs.SMEs, however, find it much harder to take such measures and are hesitant to launch business operations overseas without such personnel. † This statement hints at a deep-rooted dualism in Japan’s labor market. While in Germany small and medium-sized enterprises are regarded as popular employers as they provide 83% of vocational training opportunities and stable, long-term career opportunities (BMWI, 2012, p. 4), Japanese jobseekers have tended to favor the security of employment at large corporations over low-paid jobs at SMEs.Traditionally, new university graduates, especially from top-ranked academic institutions, have a strong preference for jobs in well-known corporations or in government entities. The 2013 ranking of the most popular employers conducted by Rakuten (2012) among more than 6,000 students is topped by Japan’s largest advertising agency Dentsu, general trading company Itochu and the operator of â€Å"T okyo Disney Resort† Oriental Land followed by cosmetics brand Shiseido, TokyoMitsubishi UFJ Bank and All Nippon Airways. Among the 100 top-rated companies, none falls into the category of small and medium-sized enterprises. Attracting experienced and skilled workers remains difficult for SMEs, but, as the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU, 2010, p. 4) notes, â€Å"tough economic times present an opportunity†. According to its 2010 report, â€Å"the cloud of the recent recession has brought two silver linings for SMEs: new entrants to the workforce are showing more interest in working for small companies, and larger businesses that are reluctant to fire workers can transfer the knowledge of experienced staff through employee loan programs. On a similar note, JETRO (2012b, p. 15) observes that â€Å"there are some SMEs making efforts to expand abroad by independently securing the necessary human resources such as by utilizing foreign students in Japan, former-trainees wh o completed special training courses for foreigners in Japan, Japanese with volunteer work experience overseas, or retirees. † Despite the recent growth in overseas activities, many challenges remain.In the following section, we will look at how these are being addressed by government initiatives. 3. . 3. 1 Initiatives for the promotion of overseas business Public support system for globalizing SMEs In Japan, many public and private institutions provide support functions for SMEs going abroad on a local and international level. On a global scale, JETRO, a government agency under the METI with 73 offices in 55 countries, plays an important role in promoting mutual trade and investment between Japan and the world.Originally established in 1958 to promote Japanese exports abroad, according to its website, â€Å"JETRO's core focus in the 21st century has shifted toward promoting foreign direct investment into Japan and helping small to medium size Japanese firms maximize their gl obal export potential†. On the local level, the Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation (SMRJ), established by METI in 2004, supports SMEs through nine regional offices across Japan, with the objective of â€Å"SME development and regional promotion. Although its main activities focus on regional development, it has stepped up its support measures for overseas business development by organizing seminars, establishing a support hotline and publishing a â€Å"Handbook for Supporting Overseas Business Development†. To facilitate assistance to SMEs expanding into overseas markets in a more systematic manner, METI has established the â€Å"Conference on Supporting SMEs in Overseas Business† in October 2010 by bringing together government officials and support institutions, such as JETRO, SME associations and 8 inancial institutions. Reflecting the results of interviews with approximately 5,000 SMEs, five key issues for supporting SMEs in o verseas business were identified: (1) Information ? Providing necessary information reflecting the needs of SMEs in detail ? Offering consistent support to SMEs by sharing support records by the conference members (2) Marketing ? Supporting product development, and participation in overseas trade fairs ? Supporting the effective use of the internet for overseas business (3) Human resources development and securing talent ?Helping to develop human resources for overseas expansion through seminars, training ? Helping to secure competent human resources for overseas expansion through matching (4) Financing ? Enhancing the financial consulting structure ? Facilitating financing for SMEs when doing overseas business (5) Improvement of the trade and investment environment ? Providing information on the establishment of overseas operations ? Assistance regarding tax, labor and intellectual property matters The conference also established concrete action plans for support measures on a glob al and local level.Actions include information gathering and dissemination through the sharing of best practices, overseas business missions, the invitation of international buyers to trade fairs in Japan, virtual marketplaces, advice on legal, technical and financial issues, and exchange programs for international trainees. The conference also planned to hold 2,500 overseas business and investment seminars by the end of fiscal year 2013 or some 700 a year throughout Japan, in cooperation with JETRO and SMRJ and other institutions.Despite the various services on offer, many companies do not make use of them due to bureaucratic procedures or are simply not aware of them. According to research commissioned by SMEA, only 39% of Japanese SMEs that are going overseas have used any globalisation assistance, including government and private-sector support (EIU, 2010, p. 16) For SMEs asking for assistance in their overseas expansion, JETRO is by far the most used contact point. 4% said they used JETRO services as compared to 13% for the chambers of commerce, 11% for banks and 10% for private consulting firms (METI, 2012, p. 280). JETRO provides information on foreign markets through its website and various publications, consulting services and seminars for 9 companies interested in overseas business. Below, we will focus on three fields in particular and try to assess their results. 3. 2 Export promotion through trade fair participation Finding the right business partner and collecting information of overseas markets are two of the challenges cited by many SMEs.Generally, trade fairs have been recognized as highly effective instruments in international market expansion. In recent years, JETRO has stepped up its efforts to promote Japanese companies abroad through trade fairs and trade missions. SMEs, especially firsttime exhibitors who qualify, can participate in these events at favorable conditions. These activities are similar to initiatives by other countries such as the Institute of the German Trade Fair Industry, which supports German companies’ international expansion at 274 exhibitions worldwide.For Japan, no information about the annual number of joint trade fair participations could be obtained, but â€Å"Japan Pavilions† at international trade fairs worldwide bring together more and more Japanese exhibitors, among which many SMEs, under a joint â€Å"Japan† brand. Examples include â€Å"Medica & Compamed† in Dusseldorf, â€Å"Maison et Objet† in Paris and â€Å"Bio International Convention† in Chicago. In order to tap into the demand of emerging nations, JETRO organizes joint pavilions at trade fairs in the BRICS nations, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, such as â€Å"Arab Health† in Dubai and â€Å"Asia Fruit Logistica† in Hong Kong.In November 2012, Japan even had a presence at the Baghdad International Trade Fair with 17 private companies and three governmental institutions. In comparison with other support measures such as seminars or business matching, exhibitors at trade fairs often report concrete results, as trade fairs offer the opportunity to gather the latest market trends, generate sales leads, and to find potential business partners. According to a 2010 survey, 40% of Japanese participants in JETRO-supported trade fairs reported direct results, another 30% said they felt indirect results (METI, 2012, p. 80). Surveys on the effects of â€Å"Japan Pavilions† are not yet available, but it can be assumed that relatively unknown SMEs, which are still newcomers to overseas markets, benefit from a joint presence under the â€Å"Japan† brand instead of exhibiting on their own. However, as countries such as Germany, France, the UK, the USA, China, Taiwan and others are aggressively promoting their own national brands, Japan needs to continue its marketing efforts in order to keep up the public’s recognition. The advanced technolog ical expertise cultivated by Japanese SMEs has often been well-recognized.New labels such as â€Å"Japan Style† for design products or â€Å"Cool Japan† for exporting its creative culture such as anime and manga will help to open up new sales channels for consumer goods as well. 10 3. 3 Foreign direct investment and financial support When companies set out to explore overseas business development, they find in many cases inadequate information regarding investment climates in foreign countries, and what funding is available to their ventures. Surveys cited above suggest that financial reserves are regarded as the number one requirement for overseas investment.In its â€Å"New Growth Strategy†, the government acknowledges that supporting underfunded SMEs which have proven resources and technologies through a new supporting system is a pressing issue. It refers to the SME financing act expiring in March 2013 and which, if not extended, threatens many ailing SMEs. The government also encourages a change of practice from a collateral and guaranteebased lending to business-based lending in order to diversify fund raising programs for SMEs. For companies with overseas investment plans, however, advisory and funding are readily available.Research into the financial institutions servicing SMEs, shows that Japan’s support infrastructure for overseas ventures is well developed. For instance, SMEs can apply for low-interest financing under the government’s fiscal and loan program through three government financial institutions: the National Life Finance Corporation, Japan Finance Corporation for Small Business, and the Shoko Chukin Bank. Furthermore, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) supports overseas business development not only for large corporations but for SMEs as well.According to a recent report by Nikkei (Nikkei Net Interactive, January 7, 2012), the government has decided to inject 70 billion yen into a new fu nd managed by JBIC that will support overseas investment and M by large Japanese companies and SMEs. JBIC’s â€Å"Advisory and Consulting Office† for SMEs (ACOSME) supports overseas business expansion of Japanese SMEs by providing the latest information on local conditions and the investment climate in individual countries. The ACOSME also offers consulting services for obtaining long-term financing.Its website (www. jbic. go. jp) introduces the case study of auto parts manufacturer Aikitec from Nagoya, which successfully built production facilities in Indonesia and China by using JBIC’s financial support. ACOSME also publishes investment guides for major ASEAN countries, and reports on the investment climate in China and Central and East European countries. In addition to responding to SME inquiries individually, ACOSME also sends speakers to meetings held in many Japanese cities for disseminating information on the foreign investment climate. 1 Looking at the companies which have successfully invested abroad, one might be surprised that 5,630 or 70% of the 7,977 enterprises in total with overseas subsidiaries in 2009 were SMEs (JSBRI, 2012, pp. 75-76). More and more automotive or electronics suppliers have set up manufacturing facilities in China, India and Southeast Asian countries. These successful cases, although still limited in relation to the huge potential, show that funding issues can be overcome.When it comes to financing, a 2009 Survey on SMEs’ International Business Expansion by the Shoko Chukin Bank and Shoko Research Institute shows that the parent company plays a crucial role in the relation with its overseas bases. â€Å"In order to make FDI more effective, close collaboration between a parent company and its overseas subsidiaries is crucial†, notes the Japan Small Business Research Institute (JSBRI, 2012, p. 96) in its SME White Paper. In the non-manufacturing sector, financing is regarded as the most import ant issue.Besides financing, common forms of support provided by parent companies in Japan to overseas subsidiaries include assistance with the launch of new products or services and technical supervision by permanent or visiting staff. 3. 4 Human resources development for global activities With the growing importance of overseas markets, SMEs expanding into other countries have to adapt to various local environments. As we have seen above, these SMEs, however, often lack the necessary global human resources.JETRO has identified three core competencies required of global human resources, in addition to foreign language abilities: 1) the ability to take decisive action, 2) the ability to effectively convey oneself, and 3) the ability to succeed in a multicultural environment (JETRO, 2012b, p. 15). Public and private institutions have set up several programs to facilitate the â€Å"securing and fostering global human resources†. The â€Å"METI Global Internship Program† implemented by the Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA) is targeting young business people.It screens and selects 50 to 100 applicants per year for three to six months long internships in government agencies or Japanese subsidiaries in developing countries. According to a METI press release, the program’s purpose is â€Å"to develop global human resources which will play an active part in dramatically-expanding markets in rising countries, acquiring infrastructure business, promoting small- and medium-sized enterprises' global expansion and other actions†.Other initiatives such as the â€Å"Career Development Program for Foreign Students in Japan† tapped into the potential of â€Å"excellent students from Asia† at Japanese universities. Divided into nine 12 regional chapters, the program, which ran from 2009 to 2012, placed foreign trainees in companies throughout Japan in order to support local businesses. In the Osaka (Ki nki) area, its goal was to attract â€Å"human resources who can bridge Kinki with Asia in business and who can play a central role in the company's expansion of its business overseas, in the advancement of economic globalization†.Although large corporations such as Panasonic, Daikin, Omron or Murata were among the participating companies, the program aimed at â€Å"human resources who can play a key role in the enhancement of technologies and management innovations in medium and small-sized enterprises accounting for large part of companies in Kinki, particularly in manufacturing companies†. According to its Japanese website (www. ajinzai-sc. jp), several trainees decided to join local SMEs in the Kinki area. It brought about some change in the participating companies as well.Companies, which used to be hesitant to take in foreign students at the beginning, started to open up and take in trainees year after year. Although the program brought about some tangible result s, it was discontinued after four years at the end of 2012. Programs like these facilitate personal exchange and daily interaction between Japanese staff and foreign employees, but in many companies, especially SMEs, it is still very limited. In order to prepare for their ambitious globalization goals, some companies have taken drastic steps: Two f Japan’s fastest growing corporations, apparel brand Uniqlo and online shopping company Rakuten, have changed their official language to English. Others have started recruiting foreign students, train them and send them overseas. Foreign employees in SMEs, however, remain an exception and in many small companies English skills are still limited. For years, Japanese companies have focused their efforts on manufacturing excellent products and developing innovative technologies. Their international marketing efforts, however, have not followed the same world-class standards due to a lack of ideas and experience.For SMEs to develop busi ness closely involved with global markets, JETRO (2012b, p. 15) concludes, â€Å"they should focus their energy on ‘hito-zukuri (building people)’ in addition to ‘mono-zukuri (manufacturing products)’. † 4. . Conclusion In the course of the past decade, Japan’s small and medium enterprises have made significant progress in their international activities. More and more SMEs tap into business opportunities in overseas markets, especially in fast growing regions such as China and other emerging markets. In international comparison, however, Japan’s SMEs still remain laggards in terms of export orientation 13 nd foreign direct investment. As companies from Germany or other countries are expanding at an even higher pace, Japan’s SMEs risk to fall behind. SMEs that plan to expand overseas report many challenges and uncertainties, which the public support system tries to address. Barriers to entry have been lowered as assistance becomes readily available. Currently the Japanese government offers assistance to SMEs via several channels, including JETRO, SMRJ and the Japan Chambers of Commerce as well as through funding assistance for some overseas operations, for instance via loans by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.Yet, as the Economist Intelligence Unit has pointed out, â€Å"lack of awareness and complicated application procedures hinder the take-up of such programs. † (EIU, 2010, p. 16). Despite all efforts, the number of SMEs involved in overseas activities remains strikingly low. This globalization gap cannot be explained by barriers to overseas expansion alone, as larger Japanese corporations or companies from other countries face similar challenges. They rather hint at much more fundamental issues, such as a lack of management resources and personnel with language skills and international experience.Internship programs, seminars and other initiatives address the issue of fostering  "global human resources†. But with a few dozen or even several hundred participants a year these initiatives are nothing more than a drop in the ocean. Most SMEs still lack a global mindset. In order to prepare hundreds or thousands of SMEs for their globalization efforts, a nation-wide effort in English education and intercultural training would be needed. Government programs cannot address all the problems small companies have in recruiting welleducated personnel.It is up to the SMEs to be creative and improve their image in order to attract better local and international talent. By focusing on their core strengths of quality, technology, and innovation, Japan’s SMEs need to create a brand reputation that will make them employers of choice for highly skilled workers and lift their image overseas. Germany’s â€Å"Mittelstand† can serve them as a benchmark. The dualism in Japan’s economy, which Michael Porter observed more than twenty years ago, has not been overcome.It seems to have become even more entrenched as large manufacturers relocate their production overseas and many SMEs are left behind. If Japan wants to keep its competitive edge, it has to help more small and medium-sized companies jump on the bandwagon of globalization. Should it fail, its economy risks to stray even further off course. 14 References Abbreviations: BMWI Bundesministerium fur Wirtschaft und Technologie / Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology EIU Economist Intelligence Unit JETRO Japan External Trade Organization JSBRI METI Japan Small Business Research Institute Ministry of Economy, Trade and IndustrySMEA Small Medium Enterprise Agency Bibliographical Sources: BMWI (2012), German Mittelstand: Engine of the German Economy: Facts and figures about small and medium-sized German firms, (www. bmwi. de). EIU (2010), SMEs in Japan: A new growth driver? , (www. managementthinking. eiu. com). JETRO (2012a), FY2011 Survey on the International Operati ons of Japanese Firms: JETRO Overseas Business Survey (www. jetro. go. jp). JETRO (2012b), Global Trade and Investment Report 2012: Companies and People Move Forward Toward Globalization – Overview (www. jetro. go. jp).JSBRI (2012), 2012 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan: Small and Medium Enterprises Moving Forward through Adversity (http://www. chusho. meti. go. jp/). Katz, Richard (1996), Japan: The System that Soured: The Rise and Fall of the Japanese Economic Miracle, M. E. Sharpe 1996. METI (2011), White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2011 Summary. Overcoming the earthquake disaster, and restoring and strengthening global economic networks (www. meti. go. jp). METI (2012), White Paper on International Economy and Trade 2012: Extending the Frontiers of Growth through global linkages (www. eti. go. jp). 15 Rakuten (2012), 2013-nendo-sotsu: Shinsotsu shukatsu ninki kigyo rankingu (Ranking of most popular companies for new graduates 2013), (http: //www. nikki. ne. jp/event/20120210/). Simon, Hermann (2012), Hidden Champions: Aufbruch nach Globalia: Die Erfolgsstrategien unbekannter Weltmarktfuhrer, Campus. SMEA (2012), Key Points of the 2012 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan (www. chusho. meti. go. jp/). 16 Figure 1: Export-orientation of Japanese SMEs 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Number of export-orientedSMEs Percentage among overall SMEs 4 3,5 3 2 1,5 1 0,5 Source: SMEA (2012), Key Points of the 2012 White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan, p. 2 Figure 2: Number of workers in Japan at SMEs starting FDI in fiscal year 2002 (= Index 100) 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 100 98 96 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Enterprises that started FDI in fiscal 2002 and continued through fiscal 2009 (n=53) Enterprises that did not engage in FDI at all between fiscal 1995 and 2009 (n=5103) Source: JSBRI (2012), White Paper on Small and Medium Enterprises in Japan, p. 95 17 in % 2,5

Sonnet To Science by Edgar Allen Poe essays

Sonnet To Science by Edgar Allen Poe essays Habitualization is referred to as the inevitable process by which any artistic object becomes ordinary, therefore losing its power as an artistic object(Karine Zbinden) People who spend their lives consumed in sameness become numb to the subtle magnificence of everyday life. Poets have the ethereal ability to bring defamiliarization to the ordinary of everyday life by exposing these subtleties, to create a new, meaningful perception of these places or words. Sonnet To Science by Edgar Allan Poe beautifully illustrates his poetic language as an antidote to habitualization. Science, referred to as a scavenger bird in the second doublet, is preying upon the poets heart, destroying fantastical dreams and replacing them with dull realities. In modern times, science is seen as a wondrous thing. Scientists develop new theories on the origin of life; they discover new planets and stars. E. A. Poe portrays science as the enemy of all that is adventurous, magical and natural ...driven the Hamadryad from the wood. Poes use of mythical creatures contrasts with what science is meant to be. Science puts proof into theories while talk of nymphs and faeries requires imagination. The idea that science has sucked the splendor out of the mysteries of life is what E.A. Poe so bluntly describes. Instead of the Naiad, nymph of fresh water, being the source of the flood, science can come up with a dreary explanation involving weather patterns. The Hamadryad does not tend to the old forests; science explains the cycle of photosynthesis. How can a poet convert scientific explanations into elegant art? How should he love thee?(Line 5) The poet referred to in the sonnet wonders why he should appreciate science when it is science that makes his ideologies seem foolish- or how deem thee wise? Science, as a concept, has stolen ...

Periodical Essay Definition and Examples

Periodical Essay Definition and Examples A periodical essay is an essay (that is, a short work of nonfiction) published in a magazine or journalin particular, an essay that appears as part of a series. The 18th century is considered the great age of the periodical essay in English. Notable periodical essayists of the 18th century include Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, Samuel Johnson, and Oliver Goldsmith. Observations on the Periodical Essay The periodical essay in Samuel Johnsons view presented general knowledge appropriate for circulation in common talk. This accomplishment had only rarely been achieved in an earlier time and now was to contribute to political harmony by introducing subjects to which faction had produced no diversity of sentiment such as literature, morality and family life.  (Marvin B. Becker, The Emergence of Civil Society in the Eighteenth Century. Indiana University Press, 1994) The Expanded Reading Public and the Rise of the Periodical Essay The largely middle-class readership did not require a university education to get through the contents of  periodicals and pamphlets written in a middle style and offering instruction to people with rising social expectations. Early eighteenth-century publishers and editors recognized the existence of such an audience and found the means for satisfying its taste. . . . [A] host of periodical writers, Addison and Sir Richard Steele outstanding among them, shaped their styles and contents to satisfy these readers tastes and interests. Magazinesthose medleys of borrowed and original material and open-invitations to reader participation in publicationstruck what modern critics would term a distinctly middlebrow note in literature.The most pronounced features of the magazine were its brevity of individual items and the variety of its contents. Consequently, the essay played a significant role in such periodicals, presenting commentary on politics, religion, and social matters among its many topics.  (Robert Donald Spector, Samuel Johnson and the Essay. Greenwood, 1997) Characteristics of the 18th-Century Periodical Essay The formal properties of the periodical essay were largely defined through the practice of Joseph Addison and Steele in their two most widely read series, the Tatler (1709-1711) and the Spectator (1711-1712; 1714). Many characteristics of these two papersthe fictitious nominal proprietor, the group of fictitious contributors who offer advice and observations from their special viewpoints, the miscellaneous and constantly changing fields of discourse, the use of exemplary character sketches, letters to the editor from fictitious correspondents, and various other typical featuresexisted before Addison and Steele set to work, but these two wrote with such effectiveness and cultivated such attention in their readers that the writing in the Tatler and Spectator served as the models for periodical writing in the next seven or eight decades.  (James R. Kuist, Periodical Essay. The Encyclopedia of the Essay, edited by Tracy Chevalier. Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997) The Evolution of the Periodical Essay in the 19th Century By 1800 the single-essay periodical had virtually disappeared, replaced by the serial essay published in magazines and journals. Yet in many respects, the work of the early-19th-century familiar essayists reinvigorated the Addisonian essay tradition, though emphasizing eclecticism, flexibility, and experientiality. Charles Lamb, in his serial Essays of Elia (published in the London Magazine during the 1820s), intensified the self-expressiveness of the experientialist essayistic voice. Thomas De Quinceys periodical essays blended autobiography and literary criticism, and William Hazlitt sought in his periodical essays to combine the literary and the conversational.  (Kathryn Shevelow, Essay. Britain in the Hanoverian Age, 1714-1837, ed. by Gerald Newman and Leslie Ellen Brown. Taylor Francis, 1997) Columnists and Contemporary Periodical Essays Writers of the popular periodical essay have in common both brevity and regularity; their essays are generally intended to fill a specific space in their publications, be it so many column inches on a feature or op-ed page or a page or two in a predictable location in a magazine. Unlike freelance essayists who can shape the article to serve the subject matter, the columnist more often shapes the subject matter to fit the restrictions of the column. In some ways this is inhibiting because it forces the writer to limit and omit material; in other ways, it is liberating, because it frees the writer from the need to worry about finding a form and lets him or her concentrate on the development of ideas.  (Robert L. Root, Jr., Working at Writing: Columnists and Critics Composing. SIU Press, 1991)

10 Companies With Amazing Benefits for Part Time Employees

10 Companies With Amazing Benefits for Part Time Employees Trying to finish school or take care of a family, or start a business on the side, but jealous of everyone with full-time benefits? Here are 10 companies you could work for that offer great benefits for part time employees. 1. Avis/BudgetThe Avis Budget Group also includes Apex, Payless, and Zipcar. When you work for this company, you are eligible for the employee stock purchase plan after 90 days. And after 1,000 hours of service, even part-time sales associates and vehicle techs are eligible for a 401k.An extra perk? You can get a discounted price on former rental vehicles when you need to buy a car.2. Barnes NobleBarnes Noble offers basic life insurance to everyone who works there. Plus after six months of employment, you get one paid week off per year. After one year, that doubles to two weeks! If you love books- or even just tolerate them- this could be the place for you.3. The Container StorePart-timers here get access to 401k, medical, dental, and vision plans. There’ s also good counseling, a corporate wellness plan, gym membership discounts- and even pet insurance discounts. Plus you might be able to get coverage for your common law spouse or domestic partner.4. CostcoAfter you’ve worked part-time for 180 days (or 600 hours), you’re eligible to receive benefits- healthcare, prescription drugs, etc. And if you work at least 10 hours per week, you’ll be enrolled in short-term disability insurance as well.5. Lowe’sLowe’s will give you a preventative health care plan right off the bat- which doesn’t cover hospitalization or illness, but will hopefully keep you in primo shape with tons of preventative care. They also have 401k, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, auto and home insurance plans or discounts.6. REIThis co-op gives employees health care, life, and disability on a sliding scale (based on annual pay) when they work at least 20 hours a week. If you work less than that, they’ll help y ou navigate the marketplace and get coverage elsewhere. There’s a great employee assistance plan available to all. Plus, the company gives 5% of eligible employees’ base pay to a retirement plan, plus profit sharing opportunities and pre-tax transportation subsidies.7. StaplesWork there for 90 days, and you can sign up for dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance. If you average 30 hours a week for a year, you’ll then be able to enroll in full-time medical. After 1,000 hours and a year, you’re also eligible for 401k and stock options.8. StarbucksWork 240 hours over three consecutive months and average 20 hours a week, and Starbucks gives you great benefits- including a health plan that includes acupuncture and chiropractic care. After a year, you’re eligible for PTO. And there are life insurance, 401k, online tuition reimbursement, and adoption expense reimbursement benefits programs available. Plus free coffee every week!9. U-Haul There are limited medical and dental plans available to all part-time employees. Plus 401k and stock options, travel insurance, and a credit union for banking.10. UPSUPS offers education assistance to part-time employees. Get an extra $5250 a year ($25k max, lifetime) to go back to school!

Globalization may change the nature and behavior of companies that Essay

Globalization may change the nature and behavior of companies that engage in large-scale international coordination, which in tu - Essay Example Offshoring is the process of establishing business units in overseas countries. It helps companies to exploit the natural resources and cheap labour available in other countries. For example, global organizations are currently competing each other for establishing business units in China and India like cheap labour oriented countries. It should be noted that cost cutting is necessary for international companies to stay competitive in international market. Since American and European countries are facing severe manpower shortage, companies in these countries forced to establish business units or manufacturing units in cheap labour oriented countries. Pepsi, Microsoft, Apple Inc. Dell, Sony, Samsung etc are some of the prominent organizations which have already established manufacturing or business units in China. It is impossible for an American company to use only American workforce in their business units in China. Same way, it is impossible for a Chinese company to operate successf ully in India or Europe with the help of Chinese workforce alone. Since locals have better knowledge about domestic market, it is necessary for international companies to employ locals so that the company can exploit the market potentials well. Even though offshoring business helps companies to increase their competitive power, it brings certain challenges also. Management of diverse workforce is one of the prominent challenges facing by international companies while operating cross culturally. This paper analyses the HR policy changes that brought by globalization in the nature and behaviour of companies that engage in large-scale international coordination. 2.0 Globalization and cross cultural business Outsourcing and offshoring are some of the revolutionary business strategies introduced by globalization. As part of outsourcing and offshoring, business travels from one country to another country. In other words, cross cultural business is increasing day by day because of globaliz ation. It would be difficult for international companies to limit their attention in one country alone, when many other countries offer huge opportunities. Majority of the international companies are already saturated in their domestic soil and they need opportunities in overseas market to grow further. For example, Starbucks is an American company which has coffee shops virtually in every corner of America. In other words, it would be almost impossible for Starbucks to formulate its expansion strategies based on opportunities in America alone. Globalization has offered many opportunities to Starbucks like companies in overseas countries. In fact countries are currently competing each other, in attracting foreign direct investments. In short, the global climate for international business is extremely good at present and no major companies can stay away from the opportunities offered by other countries. According to Ivancevich (2006, p.5), â€Å"human resource management is action o riented, people oriented, globally oriented and future oriented†. It is necessary for international organizations to integrate HRM issues into their strategic plans (Beardwell, & Claydon, 2007). It would be impossible for modern organizations to work with a single cultural workforce in a heavily globalized business world.

Influence of McDonald's Company on the State of the US Economy Essay

Influence of McDonald's Company on the State of the US Economy - Essay Example The primary challenge currently facing McDonald’s is the worsening state of the US economy, as concerns mount about a possible recession. In late January, the company reported a $1.2 billion fourth-quarter profit but warned of weakness in the US market. Same-restaurant sales were essentially flat in Dec. 2007, sparking fears that the one-month result might portend a trend. It was the growth in international sales that allowed for the company’s overall gains. The American market is the company’s largest and most crucial, with over 14,000 locations (â€Å"McDonald’s Posts Profit†). A Feb. 8 company press release reinforced the concerns about the domestic market, with US comparable sales only up 1.9 percent, while for Europe and the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa bloc, sales were up 8.2 and 7.8 percent, respectively (â€Å"Strong Global Results†). If the current US slowdown leaks into the global marketplace, companies like McDonald’s may no longer by able to count on foreign sales to bolster the bottom line. The economic woes in America are tightening many pocketbooks and forcing even habitual fast-food customers to cut back. After decades of economic expansion and ever-growing consumer expenditures, signs are legion that the days of easy credit are over and that belt-tightening measures are becoming more the norm than the exception across the American landscape. The unfolding housing bubble collapse has had a major impact, as have continued nationwide job contractions. Even value-oriented businesses like McDonald’s are likely to be hit by potential customers staying home rather than coming out to their restaurants (Goodman 1). In addition, food prices have been rising steadily as have oil and gasoline costs, putting a severe squeeze on the average American consumer. In February, consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since 1992, according to a closely watched national survey. All of this is causing consumers to cut back on non-essential items (Grynbaum 1). Food is not a non-essential item, but the challenge to McDonald’s management is to revive stagnant domestic sales by convincing more potential consumers that they are better served by visiting their local restaurant as opposed to making meals at home. Once a significant enough number of people become convinced of this, it would help to break same-restaurant sales in the US out of its current flat-growth pattern.

Australian Criminal Justice System, the Belief in Justice, an Independ Essay

Australian Criminal Justice System, the Belief in Justice, an Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law - Essay Example For any criminal justice system to be accepted by everyone, it must not discriminate against the people of a certain race, ethnic background or social class. The legal system can only be fair if the necessary procedures that guarantee a fair trial are in place. Similarly, there must be a system of law for the purpose of fairness in the society or simply the Law of Equity. The society will continue to trust the legal system if justice is not only done but perceived to be done. The entire society more so the witnesses and victims should be made aware of steps that are made to ensure that those who are involved in criminal activities are arrested and prosecuted. Furthermore, the public should be able to witness, by the means of the criminal justice system, the law bringing about accountability. The legal system comprises some basic elements of justice which include unbiased judges, jury trials that are just and the provision of security to the witnesses whenever it is called for. The Australian Justice system is based on the belief in justice, an independent judiciary and the rule of law (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2008). The people, in disregard of race and whether or not they are citizens, are given similar treatment before the law. The law also safeguards and ensures that the people are given fair treatment by officials and governments. There are some principles which are fundamental to the Australian legal system. These include the separation of powers, judicial precedent and procedural fairness. The Australian jurisprudence is based on the United Kingdom common law system. This law shows a great variation from the other civil law systems operating in Japan, South America and Europe that originated from Roman law (Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2008). The major feature of the common law is that cases that have been settled previously act as a precedent to the pending  cases.

Measuring Marketing Performance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Measuring Marketing Performance - Assignment Example There is not a single measure that is best for measuring marketing performance but three very famous measures of marketing performance are return on investment, comparison of marketing cost with result, and brand knowledge.Marketing Return on Sale:Marketing return on sale is an important measure of marketing performance and determines that how efficient the firm is. It provides the deeper understanding of impact that organization has on its profits due to marketing strategies. It is a percent of net sale attributable to the net marketing contribution. The higher marketing return on sale of current year as compare to prior year describe the positive performance of marketing (Ambler, Kokkinaki, &Puntoni, 2004).Compare the Cost of Marketing Activities with Results:Marketers use the revenues - that are the result of marketing program - as a measure of marketing performance. For example marketing programs like direct mailing and advertising develop contacts and some contacts has higher va lue as compare to others that depends on the number of responses. Marketing department compare the cost spent on each contact with the value of the result. If the marketing program results in increasing numbers of orders and generates greater revenue on per order then the marketing performance will be considered good (Srinivasan &Hanssens, 2009).Marketing department is liable to make people understand that why the brand exists in market, how it is different from others, and what values it can deliver.

Survey assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Survey assignment - Essay Example Whether we like it or not, they are still our Congress and they are our representatives in the government The result of the survey made me think that we are not putting much importance to our civic privileges. I think we became so immersed with other concerns that we overlooked how lucky we are. In the Middle East of which we barely cared about, people there, particularly in Syria that we do not know right now, has to fight a bloody war risking their lives and the people they cared about just to have a fraction of the civic privileges that we are enjoying now. What is particularly bothersome is our seeming total lack of awareness of our judicial system as suggested by the respondent ignorance of our supreme magistrate. We do not seem to appreciate our right to have a fair trial and due process which many countries have still to fight for. The low score in geographic literacy in the survey is quite understandable because we already have a lot of problems to mind here in the US to bother about other countries. Apparently, most of us only know about Iraq and Iran and little about the rest of Middle East. It is an eye opener that almost all respondents do not know where Israel (1 out of 10) is when it is a major flashpoint of conflict in the Middle East not to mention that US played a significant role in Israel. I have to mention also that the survey questions about geography are very basic and that we have to mind Middle East because a significant aspect of our foreign policy and military budget allocation is directed there. What I am trying to say is, whatever happens there affects us so we have to care. In the final reflection on the result of the survey, I understood why it is necessary for us to study American Government class. It is not only to inform us about the names, numbers and dates of aspects of governance, but also to understand how our political system works that we may become better Americans in

The Economy of Real Estate in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

The Economy of Real Estate in China - Essay Example The current situation of real estate market in China is strongly linked to changes implemented in government policies. Regulators have also suggested that the short history of the real estate market in the country and the absence of investment options have resulted in the irrational enthusiasm currently witnessed. Prior to 1998, the government controlled the distribution of property while the real estate market itself participated only in secondary roles in â€Å"dual tracks† systems involving both market mechanics and government control (Shen & Liu 121). However, the rapid growth in the 21st century was also accompanied by numerous underlying problems, prompting the central government to implement measures that imposed restrictions such as checking interest rates and increasing deposits, especially in the commercial and residential categories. The current situation is characterized by high prices of housing, which is made worse by the sustained growth of the fundamentals of e conomics. This paper will analyze the economic issues in China and specifically focus on the real estate market. China shifted from a state-controlled to a market-centered economy in the 1980s. That move placed the country on a highly unprecedented economic growth path. This further led to more momentum in the 1990s after the privatization of the housing industry and the coming into existence of the property market and elimination of the work unit system. The scale of this change and the ensuing repercussions are key factors in the analysis of the economic growth in China. Further, data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports that while real estate contributed only five percent of China’s GDP in 2000, it had grown to the current 15% by 2012 (Wang, Zan & Hongyu 44).

Survey assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Survey assignment - Essay Example Whether we like it or not, they are still our Congress and they are our representatives in the government The result of the survey made me think that we are not putting much importance to our civic privileges. I think we became so immersed with other concerns that we overlooked how lucky we are. In the Middle East of which we barely cared about, people there, particularly in Syria that we do not know right now, has to fight a bloody war risking their lives and the people they cared about just to have a fraction of the civic privileges that we are enjoying now. What is particularly bothersome is our seeming total lack of awareness of our judicial system as suggested by the respondent ignorance of our supreme magistrate. We do not seem to appreciate our right to have a fair trial and due process which many countries have still to fight for. The low score in geographic literacy in the survey is quite understandable because we already have a lot of problems to mind here in the US to bother about other countries. Apparently, most of us only know about Iraq and Iran and little about the rest of Middle East. It is an eye opener that almost all respondents do not know where Israel (1 out of 10) is when it is a major flashpoint of conflict in the Middle East not to mention that US played a significant role in Israel. I have to mention also that the survey questions about geography are very basic and that we have to mind Middle East because a significant aspect of our foreign policy and military budget allocation is directed there. What I am trying to say is, whatever happens there affects us so we have to care. In the final reflection on the result of the survey, I understood why it is necessary for us to study American Government class. It is not only to inform us about the names, numbers and dates of aspects of governance, but also to understand how our political system works that we may become better Americans in

Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Proposal - Essay Example The section of methodology would attempt to highlight the methods that can be used to gather data especially from secondary sources in a bid to explore the forces that often influence consumer behaviour to buy brands or products associated with Arsenal FC. The major aims of the study involve an investigation of how the behaviour of the consumers is influenced by sponsors of Arsenal football club. The study would also aim to highlight the impacts of sponsorship on soccer and how it affects the performance of clubs and how it yields the overall behaviour of consumers in the UK. The study is very significant in that it would attempt to investigate the behaviour of the consumers if it is influenced by the sponsors in any way as far as soccer is concerned. The study would also aim to investigate the impact of sponsorship on the performance of football clubs. Arsenal Football Club (FC) is a UK based English Club which plays in the Premier League and is regarded as one of the richest and most successful clubs as far as English soccer is concerned. The club was founded in 1886 and is also popularly known as the ‘Gunners’ which spot traditional white and red colours. Thus, according to information obtained from Arsenal FC’s website, they have a record of winning thirteen titles in the first division as well as thirteen Premier league titles. They have also won a record ten FA cups and two League cup winners as well as eleven charity/community shield winners among others in their history and this makes them one of the most highly rated clubs in English football. The Premier League therefore is the world’s most watched league and the most prestigious according to the Premier League’s website. It attracts players from virtually the whole world and was established in 1992. Since its inception, the Premier league has strove to attract quality

Internet Gambling Essay Example for Free

Internet Gambling Essay The technoculture related topic that I am going to explore is the phenomenon of Internet gambling. With the emergence and explosion of gambling on television such as the World Series of Poker of ESPN or The World Poker Tour on the Travel Channel, online gaming has quickly become a major player in the technoculture of contemporary society. I feel it is important to explore this issue because of American societys fascination and obsession with gambling. Gambling can and has become a very serious and damaging activity to many people in this country. According to CNN. com, studies have shown that people who gamble on the Internet tend to have more serious addictions than people who wager through more traditional venues. Through my research, I hope to further explore why Internet gambling has the potential to be more dangerous than traditional casinos and how younger generations of Americans and the government are responding to this ever-growing phenomenon. Literature Review The research I discovered on Internet gambling is fairly recent and comprehensive. Since online gaming is a reasonably new trend, the material written on the matter was rather current. Furthermore, there was a substantial amount of information within these three sources. It was evident that the three authors conducted high-quality research, and it showed with the use of graphs, charts, and case studies. Also, the three sources had a very similar outlook on the present and future situation of online gaming. With that being said, given that online gaming is at the peak of its existence, it is imperative that further exploration and examination within the subject be carried out. Because of the instant access one has to a gambling venue and the privacy factor of the Internet, online gaming has become a risky undertaking for many. According to David Schwartz (2003), Internet gambling presents new problems for individuals and society (p. 214). Instead of driving to an actual physical casino, problem gamblers can enjoy betting in the comforts of their own home. At home, they are not monitored by other gamblers and/or casino personnel which results in the ability to set their own limit. The Internet also allows the gambler to maintain a level of privacy not found in real casinos. If there are no friends or family around to supervise, then the gambler can engage in irresponsible betting without any time constraints. Finally, unlike real casinos, Internet casinos are readily available at the click of a button. If an online gaming organization will not accept ones money, one can bet that there are thousands of others that will be happy to take ones funds. The demographics of gambling are interesting to investigate within the subject. According to Rachel Volberg (2001), adults ages 18 to 29 are substantially more likely than older adults to have gambled privately (p. 34). Young adults are also more likely to gamble for excitement compared to older adults (Volberg, 2001). This is not a difficult concept to grasp. Normally, young adults have a less appreciative concept of money because they do not have as great of a responsibility as older people in regards to providing for family, paying bills, and spending money on expenses that are traditionally not familiar to a younger person. Furthermore, young people are usually unsupervised, especially in the collegiate demographic. Without the approval from mommy and daddy, young adults all across America are enjoying the financial freedom to do whatever they want with the money they have. In addition, according to Thomas Barker and Marjie Britz (2000), many college students have deep pockets ? Mom and Dads (p. 139). With this new found autonomy and fiscal assistance from parents, college kids are engaging in online gaming for fun and excitement. However, if left untreated and unsupervised, the fun and excitement can soon turn into a dangerous addiction with serious consequences and ramifications. With the possibility of Internet gambling becoming a serious problem, the government has been asked to step in and legislate the situation. According to Volberg (2001), The fact that Internet gambling is conducted in a networked, data-intensive environment offers opportunities for regulation and oversight in several critical areas, including licensure, testing for game integrity and site security, auditing and oversight, taxation, and consumer protection (p 97). Basically, Volberg is supporting a regulatory system that will be able to monitor the activities not only of the individual gambler, but of the gambling website as well. If the government actually does get involved, certain problems can be remedied. For example, every transaction made by a player can be closely followed and tracked. If a player indicates behaviors that suggest irresponsible decision-making, the player can be flagged and possibly suspended from a gambling website. However, all in all, Internet gambling will most likely always have its problems. Just like alcohols are with minors, people will get their hands on something they probably should not be touching. Internet gambling is an intensifying activity in American culture. With all the limitless possibility and endless potential of the Internet, online gaming will continue to be a major player in the world of technoculture and the information society. Nevertheless, what is important within this public sphere is to be able to responsibly deal with the world of Internet casinos. We need to come to a positive middle ground between the two sides of the spectrum; the fun and excitement of gambling and the spiraling addiction. Current Trends Like anything in life, when you create stimulus you are going to yield a response. In regards to online gaming, the stimulus that was created was the buzz generated by the constant bombardment of gambling programs on television. ESPN annually televises The World Series of Poker during the summer in which thousands of people descend upon Las Vegas to gamble in all types of events including poker, blackjack, craps, etc Many times they tell the story of some average Joe who enters a tournament and eventually ends up winning thousands of dollars. This false sense of hope has grabbed millions of Americans into thinking that they too, have the ability to win a substantial amount of money. The response to this stimulus has been the emergence of online casinos. However, instead of people winning money, crime has actually been the fallout of this risky behavior. According to ABCnews. com (2006), a Lehigh University student by the name of Greg Hogan Jr. attempted to rob a local bank in order to pay off his gambling debts. He was eventually caught and pleaded guilty to the offense and now faces up to three years in jail. During his interview with Good Morning America, Mr. Hogan blamed his addiction to online gambling websites for his setback, and cautioned the American public to the dangerous power of Internet gaming. In addition to his story, according to ABCnews. com (2006), 2. 9 million Americans between the ages of fourteen and twenty-two gamble with cards online at least once a week, and fifty percent of male college students and twenty-six percent of female college students gamble on cards at least once a month. To combat this growing epidemic, the House of Representatives took a proactive stance on the matter by passing legislation that would make it illegal to use credit cards on gambling websites and make it significantly more difficult to access these sites. Whether it gets passed by the Senate and the Executive Branch is another matter, however, at least the government is recognizing the problem sooner rather than later. In conjunction with this theory of crime, many Internet scammers have found opportunity within this growing trend. An article on ABCnews.com (2006) describes an elaborate scheme where bookies took sports bets through an Internet gambling site. The insecurity of the website allowed these thieves to launder millions of dollars and corrupt the free enterprise system of the Internet gaming business. Fortunately, these criminals were caught. Nevertheless, it makes you wonder how frequent this sort of thing exists in the online world. Some have argued, nonetheless, that Internet gambling has its benefits. According to Tom W. Bell (1998), the inclusion of the Internet has fostered competition to a business that has long enjoyed the sanctuary of restraining licensing practices. Rather than having to fly out to isolated casinos in Vegas or Atlantic City, you can enjoy the experience of gambling in the comforts of your own home. Bell (1998) also supports the belief that gambling in your home allows an individual to escape the traps found in real, physical casinos. A person does not have to be surrounded in a windowless structure while being harassed by cocktail waitresses carrying a tray of free booze. Because of online gaming, the business world has more free enterprise and has given the individual a sense of security not found in traditional locales. In terms of my own personal experience, I actually signed up to one of these gambling websites to investigate how they attract and seize the public. The website was www. gambling. com and in order to register, all I had to give them was a current e-mail address. I found it sort of comforting to know that they pledged that they would not pass any of my information on to any other company and/or website because I did not want my stagweb to become flooded with junkmail from these websites. Immediately after becoming a member, I was granted 400 Ludos. I had no clue as to what Ludos were, but after some probing, I discovered that they were basically a form of Internet currency. For every twenty five Ludos, I received a dollar. That equals sixteen dollars. But, heres the catch. For me to actually receive the Ludos and use them to gamble, I would have to give them my credit card information and pay a montly fee which was actually just about as expensive as the Ludos themselves. Brilliant. Moreover, the website contained links in which I could learn how to play games by reading tutorials, and then, actually play those games. I conducted a little experiment of my own to see how many times I won during one of the games. Out of twenty-five spins on one of the slot machines, I ended up winning sixteen times. That is a sixty-four percent average of winning. Now, anyone who understands anything about gambling knows that the absolute best percentage of winning is fifty percent. However, most of the games are not even close to that percentage. My suspicion leads me to believe that these websites give a false sense of hope to their members. If they succeed in tempting people to try these games, and these games yield a winning percentage better than fifty percent, more often than not, someone is going to believe that they actually have a great chance of making money. It actually is a genius scheme to lure in the public. Make them believe. Once they have accomplished that, these websites have them right where they want them. Conclusions The effects of online gaming are now becoming more clear and transparent to technoculture and the information society. It is apparent that online gaming has become a microcosm of the digital divide that exists within society. According to one of our readings during the semester written by Oscar H. Gandy, Jr. (2002), the differences that make up the digital divide are more than just social constructions. The actual construction is molded due to the new systems of communication that have surfaced within the last twenty years. In relation to online gaming, Internet gaming websites are now competing to display the flashiest, most hypertextual sites in order to attract customers. Due to this competition, better bandwidth and enhanced software will result, thus highlighting the digital divide. Data mining and this notion of surveillance has also entered the conversation regarding online gaming. Because an individual has to present private information about ones self on a website to facilitate gambling, the possibility of gambling website selling personal information in return for financial gain is a distinct possibility. As aforementioned, the site I visited before pledged that they did not engage in data mining. Yet, this seems to suggest that other sites do exercise this right which effectively gives companies useful information about yourself. Moreover, whenever someone uses the Internet, especially in a situation where one willingly submits personal information such as credit card and phone numbers, the possibility of third party surveillance is always present. It really conveys the authentic risks one undertakes when participating in the latest innovation. Another theory that online gaming illustrates is the constant tension between structure and agency. The government represents structure. As a stable entity, it looks to control the path of Internet gambling by establishing rules and regulations in hopes of creating some order. Internet gambling, on the other hand, is the perfect example of agency. Gambling, in and of itself, is the exact definition of what agency represents: the ability of uncertainty and chaos to influence the parameters through which we live. However, as much as these two concepts seem unrelated, there is an interdependence that spurs the creation of new technologies, not only in the world of online gaming, but throughout the technological landscape. Annotated List of Relevant URLS 1. http://www. playwinningpoker. com/resources/sites2. html : This website is a resource for gamblers.It allows the user to learn new games, find new games, and contact certain people involved with gambling. 2. http://www. gambling. com/best/online-gambling-sites. htm : This website directs users to the best gambling websites on the Internet. It has a list on the left hand side with about sixty different links to other gambling sites. 3. http://www. out-law. com/page-6655 : This website is about illegal activities on the Internet. It contains a few articles on illegal mishaps that have occurred through Internet gambling websites. 4. http://www. becker-posner-blog.com/archives/2006/08/on_internet_gam. html : Blog that contains articles about Internet gambling. Website constructed by Gary Becker and Richard Posner. 5. http://www. cardplayer. com/blog/entry/179 : Blog that is pro-Internet gambling. Players write their feelings on why they think Internet casinos are fun and exciting. 6. http://www. istoppedgambling. com/ : Website founded to help people with gambling problems. Includes personal stories, how-to instructions, and negative articles about gambling. 7. http://www. nomoregambling. com/ : Website founded to help people with Internet gambling problems. Has a hotline and other medias to help combat irresponsible Internet betting. Works Cited Barker, Thomas Britz, Marjie (2000). Jokers Wild: Legalized Gambling in the Twenty-first Century. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Schwartz G. , David (2003). Suburban Xanadu: The Casino Resort on the Las Vegas Strip and Beyond. New York, NY: Taylor and Francis Books, Inc. Volberg A. , Rachel (2001). When the Chips Are Down: Problem Gambling in America. New York, NY: The Century Foundation, Inc. http://www. cato. org/testimony/ct-tb052198. html.

Power Supply In Desktop Computer Engineering Essay

Power Supply In Desktop Computer Engineering Essay Power supplies are used for making computer system weather it is desktop or tower to it is laptop it is must used. Here only desktop based computers power supplies are mentioned. A poor power supply can reduce the life time of a computer system. On the other hand a high quality Power supply can help to reduce the noise or heat generated within a computer system. So we should use good quality power supply but how we can come to know that this is good and this is bad power supply here are some of the points which make power supply good. Now a days power supplies generally work on almost +12V with at least 18A. This can also very for the good performance if the components are also increased. This paper discusses the comparison of old and current power supplies and also about the different types of power supplies that exist in these days. And discuss the specifications, prices and show the diagrams of them. Circuit of todays power supply Power supply mostly consist of transformer, capacitor, rectifier, cables, and connectors etc. the transfer is step down that is sued to covert the 220 voltage into required less voltage and rectifier is sued for the signals and capacitor issued to achieve at max 5 voltage continuously. This is all about the inside working of desktop power supply. There are many other things as well but the most important behavior is all of the discuss above. The internal working of the circuit in accordance to the signal is shown below. Internal working of power supply Schmatic of Todays Power Supply Circuit of old power supply In old power supplies the circuit was almost same and working as also the same but the difference was on the performance of individual components like the transformer do not provide their 100% correct work and we have to use other means of source for that and rectifier was not in the condition to handle the waves as it should be. The above diagram is of one of the old power supply and we can imagine the difference between old and new one by seeing just the internal structure of both the old and new (as above) power supply. First the circuit was complex and now days we have reduce that too. Disadvantage in old days power supply In past the power supplies used in desktop based computer had any issues. Some of them are listed here Noise Cost Power Efficiency Meant time between failures Circuit Size Compatibility Issue Noise: The old power supply had major problem of noise in that. These power supplies were not able to minimize the noise. Cost: These power supplies were also very costly because the circuit in these days were not common so buyer ahs to pay a lot for that. Power Efficiency: It was very poor in power efficiency as compared to now days. The difference was also due to the structure of the mother board as well but it also affects the efficiency of desktop based computers. Compatibility Issue: This can be called as father of all issues as old power supplies has the compatibility issue because if someones power supply break down mean get damage then it was very hard to find the power supply for the same kind of desktop base computer. And the internal structure was so complex that no one can repair else the manufacturer of that. So user has to face many problems due to this. Advantages of current power supply In todays power supplies we have gained a lot of benefits from the power supply which are Low or no Noise Meant time between failures Power Efficiency Low Noise The todays power supplies have reduced the problem of noise as well. To avoid lot of noise then there are a number of options available. The first option is that use larger fans that move more air through the power supplies and from the system as well at slower speed so we do not feel any kind of noise. Another option is that use silent power supplies that has no link with fans and it does not generate any kind of noise. Mean time between Failures For the current power supplies manufacturer have also increase the mean time of usage. And we can use them for large period of time. Because higher the meant time between failure, higher the quality of the power supply we use. Power Efficacy Modern power supplies have also gained the advantage by increasing the power efficiency of computer. As we know that power supplies convert voltages from wall outlets to lower levels in the desktop computer. During this conversion, some power is lost as heat. And the efficiency of desktop computer is determined by how much lower extra power must be put into the power supply to use the computer. And in todays supplies we have to put very low extra power to overcome the heat issue hence in advantage we have gained greater power efficiency.