Project Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Project Management - Essay Example The fertile soil of the Delta consists of alluvial and marine deposits; Increasing use of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides â€Å"are compromising the water and habitat quality of large portions of the Delta ecosystem.† Fish grown and exported provide a large portion of the economy’s export earnings. â€Å"water quality is compromised from the industrial and municipal effluent of the capital city of B. located just northwest of the Delta.† Decrease in numbers of migratory birds in the Delta - affects the newly developing tourism industry. A stakeholder interest and influence chart is devised illustrating the stakeholder groups’ relative interest and influence in the project. This identifies those who should be managed, monitored, or kept informed or satisfied. Additionally, communities and environmentalists are specially interested in reducing pollution; workers in enhancing their livelihoods, and L due to violations of the EEZ. Desperate stakeholder groups are the poorer communities and those facing water shortages in S. Capacity for participation is expected to be greatest by those who stand to benefit economically, especially the tourism industry, and the international and national NGOs. Generally, those stakeholders with the greatest interest coupled with influence will have greater capacities. In keeping with the objective of frank disclosure of project information, fostering a culture of improvement, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate commensurate with their importance and valuable contributions. The WRB requires appropriate structures, mechanisms and systems in place, which all stakeholders must work together to ensure. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the problems and needs of the region, and, to recommend measures for poverty reduction, ecological sustainability and macroeconomic development. In doing so, we seek active involvement of

Punishments in Primitive Soceity Essay Example for Free

Punishments in Primitive Soceity Essay Introduction: The most usual criteria for punishment in primitive societies is the principle of Eye for an eye. According to this principle if a person has taken the eye of another the chief orders that the eye of the criminal should be taken.Blood for blood is the ancient principle of retribution in primitive societies. Thus punishment is based on retributive principle. This is so since most of the tribal people believe that crime is a violation of divine system or rules. Hence it is believed that the criminal is evil and should be given suitable punishment so that he may become free from evil.The evil souls must be punished. Besides retribution, another basis for punishment is compensation of the loss. Punishment in the form of fine is usually based on this principle. A fine is imposed since it compensates the loss.But the most important principle in the primitive system of punishment is the principle of collective responsibility.According to this principle punishment is not necessarily awarded to the individual who has committed the crime but his family, clan and local group may also be punished. For example, punishment of death is given for a murder, but this punishment may not be awarded to him who has murdered.In his place some other member of his family, group or clan may be killed since the group is collectively responsible for the criminal act of each member. CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMITIVE LAWS It is a part of natural and supernatural principles. It is based on kinship types. It is originated from the moral and ethical notions and public opinion. In primitive law there is no difference between civil law and criminal law. Primitive law doesnt distinguishes between crimes and torts, public and private issues. It gives importance to sin and supernatural punishments. In here kinship group looks after law, therefore, there is collective responsibility for protecting the law. Kinds of Evidence (a) Oath. The offender has to take an oath and then he is asked to state whether he has committed the offence or not. It is generally believed that, if the offender tells a lie, he falls a prey to the supernatural anger for taking a false oath. (b) Ordeal. Sometimes the persons accused are put to torture in primitive societies before the declaration of judgment in criminal cases. If the accused persons escape without injury, they are acquitted as they are supposed to be not guilty. Kinds of Punishment 1. Different types of punishment are prevalent in different primitive societies. While in some societies compensation and social extermination are the more usual punishments, in other societies different types of physical injuries are inflicted as punishment. Similarly, in some societies fines are imposed and community feast is demanded to wipe off the crime. 2. Capital sentence is generally given in a case of homicide; but sometimes the death penalty is given to one of his family members or to one of his kins instead of inflicting it up to the person who has actually committed homicide. 3. They-believe that it is not the individual who is regarded to have been wronged but the whole kin-group to which he belonged and his kin-group, therefore avenges itself on the kin- group of the accused and not necessarily on the accused himself. 4. In some other societies the criminal is publicly insulted by blackening his face and carrying him through the entire village seated on a donkey. In America, in a tribe an unfaithful wife is given the punishment of death by drowning in water. In an Uganda tribe there is provision of jail for the criminal. The criminal, however, can be set free for a night. 5. If the crime is very serious the criminal is fixed to a pole till he dies. Murder is usually punished by capital punishment but most of the tribes do not have the provision for hanging till death. The provision for jail, however, is very exceptional. Usually, one does not find prison houses in tribal societies. 6. The misbehavior done to an ordinary individual is lightly punished, when the same misbehavior done to a chieftain is punished severely. For example, adultery with the wife of a king or chieftain is a capital crime and punished with death whereas adultery with some ordinary individual is not punished so severely. 7. The punishment of imposing a fine is not found among the punishments for crimes in primitive societies. Where fines are charged in a primitive society, they are paid by way of compensation to the aggrieved party. 8. The accused, very often, has to give a feast to the whole village in compensation for his crime. Even in case where fines are paid by way of compensation for the wrong done, attention is paid to the person who has done the wrong as well as to the person who has been wronged, if a person of a low standard offends a person of a high status, the find imposed is very heavy. But, if a person of a high status offends an ordinary person, the amount of compensation is very small.

Muslims And Islam Ecuador

Muslims And Islam Ecuador Scholarship about Muslims and Islam has generally been delimited geographically in the Middle East. After the 9/11 attacks, the renewed interest about Islam in general exposed the existence of a sizable Muslim population in the Latin Americas (Hallar). While the migration of Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians in the late 1800s accounted for the greater number of Muslims in Latin America now, new converts to Islam also characterize the Muslim population today. In Ecuador, where the Muslim population is a very small minority compared to the predominantly Roman Catholic group, not much has been written about them, their history, they way of life, and the different challenges they experience living in adherence to their professed faith. This paper traces the history and origins of Muslims in Ecuador, their contemporary experiences, contributions, and problems. In 2008, the Ecuadorian constitution recognized the megadiversity of the biological and economic species in the country, protecting it by making ecosystem rights or the rights of nature legally enforceable in the country (Central Intelligence Agency). Located along the Earths equator, hence the name, Ecuador is home to the famous Galapagos Islands and the most biologically diverse ecosystem in the world. Ecuadors megadiversity also applies to its population. Estimated at around 14,790,608, the country is the 65th largest country in the world in terms of population; it is also one of the most ethnically diverse (Central Intelligence Agency). Its majority group, the mestizos, were descendants of the intermarriage of the Spanish conquistadores and its indigenous people and comprise more than 65% of the population. Accounting for a quarter of the Ecuadorian population are Amerindians; the creoles account for 7%; and Ecuadorians account for 3%. Religion-wise, Ecuador is home to predominantly Roman Catholic believers which account for 95% of the population, with 4% following Protestantism, 1% Mormons, and a minority of nativists, Jews, and Muslims. The Pew Research Center (2009) estimates a Muslim population of roughly 500 individuals in Ecuador. Today, Ecuadorian Muslims are struggling to define their place and their identity in a world that has grown more aware of their existence. An inc reasing number of Ecuadorians are also discovering a new way of life as they embrace and convert to Islam. History and origins of Ecuadorian Muslims Thirty to fifty centuries ago, three Ecuadorian Indian cultures were dominant namely the Chorrera, Machalilla, and Chordeleg. Their religion involved worshipping the sun and the chief of the villages were believed to be sent by the Sun God. Part of their religious practices is the offering of young women who were virgins as human sacrifices as a gesture of gratitude for the bountiful harvest. These early Ecuadorians believe that the body will resurrect after death and because of this belief, they bury gold, spears, drinks, food, and many others that will prepare them in their journey in the afterlife. Years after, the Incas who defeated the southern Ecuadorian tribes almost shared the practices and beliefs as the other Indian tribes. When the Spaniards conquered the American continent, the transition to Catholicism was not dramatic. The Catholics merely had to change the Sun God to the statue of the half-naked Son of God nailed to the cross. One king of the Incas by the name of Atahualpa was burned alive because of his strong rejection towards Christianity. Forced by the Spaniards to denounce his ancient beliefs, the Inca king threw the Bible in protest. His defiance catapulted to his execution for blasphemy. Since this period, Roman Catholicism was the official religion in Ecuador. More than 100 years has passed, Protestantism penetrated Ecuador then other religious sects followed- Seventh-day Adventist, Latter-day Saints, Anglicans, Gnostics, Bahais and others. Indian and Far Eastern philosophies have attracted followers over the last twenty to thirty years. The Jewish people in Ecuador had no formal leadership until 2001 when a representative from the Jewish community in Argentina was appointed as their head. First Muslim Settlers The very first Muslims who settled in Ecuador were Arabians from Egypt, Syria, Palestine, and Lebanon. Their emigration to the Latin continent was because of their search for peace and solitude from the ravages of World War I and II. With Turkish passports in possession issued by the Ottoman Empire, these Muslims have entered the Ecuadorian soil. Because of this, the first Muslim settlers were known throughout Ecuador as the Turks. The Turks first settled in Quito, the capital city and Guayaquil, the principal seaport in the Pacific Ocean. Some of these Turks went to the coastal areas in the provinces of Esmeraldas, Los Rios, and Manab. What attracted the Turks very much is the tranquility of the country. The family-oriented culture in Ecuador have probably reminded the Turks of their own homes in their respective countries. The principal economic activity of the first Ecuadorian Muslims was trading. In the beginning, the economy of Ecuador largely depended on barter trading or the interchanging of goods and products. During the first twenty to thirty years, the Muslims encountered numerous challenges in local trade and commerce. The distances they had to walk is very long, follow the post service through the mules back, and try to reach the most accessible community or village to do business. The first Muslims in this South American country were exposed to different customs, fashion, and gastronomy. They exchange their goods such as dates or Tamar, rose water or maiy zahar, mashed fried peas or falafel, and laborious sweets like basbusa and baklawa with the local wheat flour or pinol, herb water or agua aromatic, dark sugar cane or panela and banana. The Muslim Identity Since the aim of coming to Ecuador for most of the first Muslim settlers is to seek Dunia, they had a very poor background about their religion and consequently their identity as Muslims was overshadowed by the strong and dominant Roman Catholic religion. Very few of the early Muslims have settled with their spouses from their native countries while majority married with the locals. The earlier Muslim families in Ecuador were the Jairala, Becdach, Ariz, Shayyeb, Soloh, Dassum, among others. Unfortunately for some of their descendants, some opted to be converted to Christianity as their only religious option. Few of the Muslim families would have their children educated under an Islam-based curriculum in Muslim countries. By the later part of the 1940s, Muslims and Arab Christians were grouped as one due to their Arabic roots. The first organization of Muslims and Arab Christians is known as Lecla. Issues of their different religious orientation were not discussed. Then by the middle of the 1980s, a social organization emerged and this is known as the Arab Club. Approximately during this period, there was increased migration of Muslims to Ecuador. Roughly 20 Egyptian men were struggling to reach US shores without considering the risks involved. Dishonest travel agencies are using Ecuador as their gateway to the US. Eventually some of them left Ecuador while others choose to stay in the country. A minor migration involving Indian Pakistanis occurred in the early 1990 and majority have reached their migratory goals in Canada and the US and they leave no trace or indication of their religious affiliation with Islam. As the 20th century comes to a close, Muslim migrants came from countries in West Africa such as Ghana, Nigeria, and Liberia, whose internal conflict and civil disruptions have pushed them in search of the new place to rebuild their lives. The mid 1980s saw the embracing of Islam by the local Ecuadorian populace. Though the word Islam is unheard of, the locals were highly influenced by the piety of the Muslims while studying in the US and European universities. They have come to regard Islam as a religion for all therefore it is universal. Aside from that they considered the religion a brotherhood which brings people from all walks of life to work harmoniously to attain peace. Islam also offered teachings not found in the Catholic teachings. Despite the fact that these new Muslims enthusiastically propagated their religion in Ecuador, it was a struggle by going against the current. In the mid 90s, the number of Ecuadorian Muslim converts continue to grow. At present, every Friday marks at least a single Shahada. This growing trend came to terms with criticism and rejection every within their closest kin. There are roughly 500 Muslims living in Ecuador today. A Muslim Heritage Muslims in Ecuador and in Latin America in general derive a unique kind of heritage from the regions political history. This heritage dates back to 711 when the Muslim Moors led by Tariq ibn Zayid conquered Spain for 700 years. For seven centuries of Muslim rule, Spain became influenced by Islamic music, literature, and architecture. Religious tolerance as preached by Islam allowed the mutual existence of various religious denominations such as Judaism and Christianity. Unlike other conquerors, the Moors preached Islam but did not impose conversion to their religion. When the Muslim conquest ended by 1492, all Muslims were forced back into Christianity with the threat of exile or execution. During the heydays of the Spanish inquisition, the conquistadores started to ship off Muslim slaves to the New World and Africa and these Muslim eventually landed in Latin America. The forced migration of Muslim slaves as well as the migration of Muslim Arabs of the Ottoman Empire started the spr ead of Islam into the continent. Many Muslims in Latin America believe that Islamic conversion enables them to reclaim their true heritage. Muslim scholars assert that European influence came much later than African/Islamic influence. Evidence of this is in the Spanish language itself, literature, philosophy, and music. Latino culture then derives a large part from the contributions of the first Muslim settlers shipped off from the Iberian Peninsula. As Islam spread quickly, it became a profound influence on the Latino way of life (Vendan and Pervost 28). This assertion is contentious however because historical books and documents do not mention the contributions of Islamic heritage in Latino culture save for a few aspects. The educational system also does not teach about Islamic values and its impact on present Latino American culture. Some of the great contributions of Islam to cities in Latin American include the magnificent Islamic architecture that has built the cities of South America. Brazils old churches are designed with Arabic calligraphy carved by Muslim slaves brought to the continent from the Iberian Peninsula. Islamic art is also prominent in many Central American churches. Many churches all over South American also install mosque arches and domes, typically Islamic architectural styles. In Quito, Ecuador, Islamic art can be found in the Andalusian Spanish architectural style copied from Islamic architecture. Andalusian Islamic architecture is also visible in Quitos downtown area (Suquillo, Islamic Values in Latin Americ an Culture). Major and minor traces of the influence of Muslims in Ecuador occurred as a result of Muslim migration into the country. Aside from art, language, and architecture, Islamic values such as hard work, industry, affinity for trading as well as Arabic food form a great contribution to the diverse and beautiful culture in Latin America today (Vendan and Pervost 33). Aside from viewing conversion to Islam as a historical necessity, the younger generation of Latinos is attracted to Islam because of their disenchantment with Catholicism. Many Latino Muslims view Catholicism as an elitist religion which has historically disenfranchised many of the continents poor and indigenous populations. Many also view Catholicism as having been detrimental to the rights of indigenous ancestors. Among native Latinos who convert to Islam, there is a prevalent view that Catholicism has only served the poor in theory but not in practice. Today, Catholicism has not played a major role in improving the plight of the disadvantaged and have not defended their rights adequately as a church should. Instead of the elitist Roman Catholic Church, many view Islam as the true religion of the oppressed. This view seems to explain why Islam appeals to minority groups in Latin America and elsewhere. Most of the Islamic conversions belong to marginalized groups and those who are struggling for equality. Many activists and progressive thinkers have also found a more effective ally in Islam as the Quran does not only delve in religious issues but in political issues as well. In choosing Islam, some became became serious young men seeking to elevate ourselves within our society. We got this from Islam (qtd. in Viscidi). Some Muslim scholars hypothesize the Islams strong position on unity and racial equality is an appealing concept to minority and disadvantaged groups (Vendan and Pervost 34). This also explains why more and more African Americans in the U.S. have converted to Islam in the past decades. To many who decide to convert to Islam, it is a universal faith where people of all walks of life pray together. Religion unifies culture and enhances it (qtd. in Sanchez and Juan 33). Ecuadorian converts have also cited how Islam provides both material and spiritual support for its faithful. For instance, the track record of Muslim religious organizations indicates that it caters not only to the needs of Muslims but non-Muslims as well. Elsewhere in the world, Muslim organizations provide welfare services, education programs, clothing drives, training for women, and anti-poverty measures to ease the flight of the disadvantaged. However attractive Islam may be to many, Latino Muslims experience a conflict of identity because Catholicism has been so deeply ingrained in their culture. Some who are thinking of converting may feel that their conversion to Islam may be construed as being traitors to their Catholic heritage. Moreover, converts also face the difficulty of being accepted into the mainstream community. Being part of the other has a strong possibility of getting converts alienated or even disowned by their families or peers (Cook 4). Despite their many activities and their presence, Muslim organizations still find that many people have no knowledge or are ignorant about Islam. This is why Muslim religious organizations are striving to get people to know more about Islam and dispel wrong notions and biases about Muslims and Islamic doctrine (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador). Muslim Religious Organizations The wave of migration to the Americas marked the influx of Lebanese and Palestinian immigrants to Ecuador in the 1800s. While majority of them were of Arab ancestry and remnants of the Ottoman Empire, some of them were Christians and some of them became assimilated into their new country as Christians. Nonetheless, some of them also remained Muslims. Historical records suggest that the earliest Lebanese immigrants came to Ecuador in 1850. They carried with them Islamic values, traditions, and culture an aspect that made life difficult for them initially. Majority of the Lebanese Muslims which migrated first were male and settled first at the countrys capital, Guayaquil. The women came later. Like most migrants, they found it difficult to adjust to the host country; they faced discrimination but were determined to make a prosperous life in Ecuador. Most of them became entrepreneurs and owned stores. Soon, some of the most important political players in Ecuador were of Arab ancestry: from Assad Bucaram Elmhalim in 1916, to Guayaquils mayor in 1996 Jamil Mahuad Witt, and former Vice President Alberto Dahik Garzozi (Roberts 13). While many Middle Eastern migrants became assimilated into the Catholic way of life, a few of them remained adherents of Islam and strived to build their own community and follow their own traditions while respecting the dominant culture. Muslims in Ecuador belong to a tight-knit community of worshippers. During the middle of the 1900s, native Ecuadorians became converts of Islam and chose to live close to the Arab community. In order to perform prayers, they first rented a small apartment which later became a private apartment provided by the Egyptian Embassy. The Ecuadorian constitution requires all religious organizations to register in order to exercise freedom of religion. In Ecuador, the first and largest religious organization officially registered with the government is the Centro Islà ¡mico del Ecuador. Founded in 1994, the Center receives Muslims and non-Muslims alike and is a hub not only for religious purposes but also for socio-cultural and educational activities supposed by the teachings of Sunni Islam. Unlike many masjids, the Center is an independent entity that is built without any foreign financial support. The Center also serves to help to develop a genuine Muslim Ecuadorian identity guided and inspired by values of Islam (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador). In its early years, the masjid occupied only the first floor of the Center. Soon, it was transferred to a residential area in order to make the masjid more convenient for residents. The Center serves as a gathering place of Ecuadorian Muslims and a venue from which non-Muslims could learn more about Islam and the Islamic way of life. Through the Center, misconceptions about Islam are resolved so that a better understanding of Islam is presented to non-Muslims. For Muslims, the Center educates young and old Muslims about the Holy Quran and the Arabic language. Moreover, it specially caters to women who comprise many of Muslim converts through lectures and a well-stocked library that offers books written in Spanish, English, and French. Part of the responsibility of the Islamic Center is the translation and publication of Spanish literature which tackle on various topics on Islam. The center has also translated five books to Spanish: What the Bible says about Muhammad?, Understanding Muslims and Islam, Tawheed, Muslim Christian Dialogue and The truth about Jesus. Spanish pamphlets were also published and they are entitled: Islam at glance, Mount Arafat Sermon, Do you know that (the Pope at the time of our Prophet Muhammad SAAWS, embraced Islam?), General aspects about fasting in Ramadan, Misconceptions about Jihad, Danger in dancing, Is Jesus really God?, You should know about this great man (Prophet Muhammad SAAWS), Who invented the trinity?, What is Islam?, Islamic Fundamentalism?, What Islam is not about, Muhammad in the Bible, Fire in your stomachs (about alcohol), and According to the Bible, Jews have no right on Palestinian land (Suquillo, Islam in Ecuador). There are two other Muslim religious organizations in Ecuador: the Centro Islà ¡mico Al Hijra and the Fundacion Islamica Cultural Khalid Ibn Al Walid. The Centro Islà ¡mico Al Hijra is also located in Guayaquil while the Fundacion is located in Quito, Ecuador (Islamic Finder). Worship in the Masjid Prayer is central to Ecuadorian Muslims. Worship in the masjid is the same for Ecuadorian Muslims as with all other Muslims anywhere in the world. It is mandatory to remove shoes or slippers when entering a mosque a practice that reflects respect for the house of prayer and its worshippers. The prayer halls in the masjid contain no benches or chairs, only carpets which are aligned to face Mecca, Islams holy city. Ecuadorian Muslims go to the masjid in order to perform salat, one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith. Prayers are organized five times a day. The masjid in Ecuador is open one hour before the obligatory Fard prayers. However, the faithful can offer five prayers all throughout the day from their home: Fajr (before sunrise), Dhuhr (afternoon), Asr (midday), Maghrib (after sunset) and Ishaa (after dusk) (Islamic Finder). Ecuadorian Muslims can find out the proper prayer times throughout the day from the announcements posted near the masjid and even online (Islamic Finder). The Islamic weekly holy day is Friday. Prayers inside the masjid are performed by men but not for women. This tradition has been sometimes criticized as discriminatory for women. However, Muslim scholars have cited that the rationale behind this prohibition is to uphold the rules regarding the interaction of men and women as written in the Quran. Women can worship in the masjid from separate chambers where they can see the imam or the prayer leader. Most Ecuadorian Muslim women also prefer to pray from their homes. Before formal prayers, all are required to perform a ritual of cleaning called wudu where the ears, face, arms, hands, and feet are washed. The masjid has washrooms for men and women for this purpose. Worshippers step into the prayer hall with the right foot and say in Arabic Oh Allah, open the door of mercy for me (Asani). Two cycles of prayer are then performed, followed by a salutation (tahiyatul-majid) and the sequence of standing-kneeling-prostration. Reasons for Conversion to Islam Muslims in Ecuador have a unique experience as they practice their faith. Belonging to a community of faithful comprising less than 1 percent of the population, it is not unusual that many Ecuadorians are not aware that there are Muslims at all. Hence, educating non-Muslims about the tradition and practices of Muslim Ecuadorians is a challenge. However, the number of annual converts to Islam in Ecuador has surprisingly increased and the Muslim community is undergoing changes as a consequence. Yahya Juan Suquillo, Ecuadors imam or religious leader, states that the notion that Islam attracts few converts is untrue. In fact, the conversion rate among Christians is going at an accelerated pace. Suquillo, who was named one of the 500 most influential Muslim leaders of 2009, believes that Islams appeal in Ecuador as well as in Latin America comes at a time when the whole continent is in search of its own identity (The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre 24). The social problems that beset the continent have made its people look for spiritual change and Islam has a unique brand of spirituality that appeals to most people. Latin America is fertile ground for Islamic dawah and the transition from Christianity to Islam is not so difficult since Islamic influence is already inherent in Latino culture. However, Muslim religious organizations have fallen short in identifying the strong potential Latinos to accept Islam despite the predominance of Catholicism (Suquillo, Islam in Ec uador). Ecuadorian Muslims are also in search of their Islamic identity which they found at home and abroad. Some Ecuadorian Muslims are economically well-off and can send their children abroad to study Arabic and Islamic Studies. Some who have gone on to study in Cairo were descendants of the original Muslim settlers in Ecuador: My grandfather on my mothers side helped bring Islam to Ecuador, I belong to that family and it makes me proud (Delgado qtd. in Makary). One of the biggest challenges for the Ecuadorian Muslim population is how to integrate their increasing number of indigenous converts into the Muslim ummah. There are many aspects about Islam that attracted converts in Ecuador. Some have cited that the modesty and religiosity of Islam is what they admired most in the religion. Others have also cited the consistency of Islamic doctrine as opposed to Catholicism. Others have also cited the influence of a Muslim friend or colleague they admired (Rich). Some find that the record of Islamic communities in maintaining order and cleaning up neighborhoods of crime and poverty was the most admirable thing about the religion. Converts who have been exposed to crime, drugs, and prostitution find sincerity in the Islamic community to help them reform. There is also an attraction in what Islam offers: the return to traditional values (Sesin). Like many Latino converts to Islam, Ecuadorian Muslim converts also believe that Islam offers a new kind of spirituality than what they have been accustomed to. Others cited the that Islam offered a strictly monotheistic view compared to Catholicism which teaches the concept of the Trinity as well as belief in the Virgin Mary and Catholic saints. It also is surprising that instead of viewing Islam as repressive against women, female converts state that Islam provides a view of women with dignity and respect something that is not highlighted in other religions (Sanchez and Juan 26). Islamic doctrine is also one of the main attractions of the religion not only in Ecuador but in Latin America in general. Islamic principles are consistent with the tight and devout family values which characterize Latin American households. According an Ecuadorian Muslim: There are cultural similarities and family values inherent to Hispanics and Muslims. Typically, Hispanic households are tight knit and devout, and children are reared in a strict environment traits that mirror Muslim households (Guadalupe qtd. in Pick Islam) Moreover, in terms of doctrine, Islam resolves some of the issues that most people have with Catholicism. Islams absence of a papal hierarchy makes everyone equal in the presence of God. The definition of God in Islam is also less ambivalent, as there is only Allah unlike the Catholic Church which promotes the worship of Saints, and the Virgin Mary. In Islam, many feel that Everyone who prays before God is equal (qtd. in Viscidi). Other family-related values and close kinship ties are integral to Muslim communities; the same is true for Hispanic communities. There are several Islamic norms which mirror those highly valued by Hispanics such as respect for the elderly, child rearing, and the value/role of marriage (Sanchez and Juan 32). To many converts, Islam has helped them live a life of moderation and appreciation for family and motherhood (Pick Islam). Islam has also provided converts with a belief system that spoke of kindness, respect, and love for family. Some converts expressed that because Islamic principles consider moderation rather than competition or ambition as the norm, its believers were more grounded and in touch with real life than religions that value individualism (qtd. in Hallar). Challenges faced by Ecuadorian Muslims Converting to Islam poses several challenges. First, because Islam is a way of life and not merely a religion, converts brace with the difficulty of adjusting their once decadent lifestyle to suit the tenets of modesty and economy in Islam. Young converts expressed not being ready to give up parties as a great challenge for them (qtd. in Rich). For most women converts, the stereotypes that are often attached to Islam and Muslims became a great hindrance for them as they strived to be accepted by the Catholic families. Native Ecuadorian Muslims comprise more than half of the population of Muslims in Ecuador. Their understanding of the religion is best reflected in their manner of dressing. Almost all of the females don the hijab and long dress daily. A main issue for women converts is the mode of dress. Muslim women are required to wear the appropriate clothing, usually the headscarf or hijab. Many Catholics view wearing the hijab as an oppressive act and do not understand its need. T he younger generation of Muslim converts in Ecuador is also looking forward to a more progressive Islam one that is keeping up with the times but does not run contrary to the fundamental teachings of Islam and the values of the Islamic civilization itself (Sesin). Integration with a predominantly Catholic population has also subjected a few Muslims in Ecuador to harassment and discrimination. In a UN Commission on Human Rights Report, Muslim leaders alleged that Ecuadorian Muslims encountered discrimination when they apply for employment, loans, or housing. However, due to the small population of Muslims in Ecuador, discrimination is not societal and does not occur frequently (UN Commission on Human Rights). After 9/11, Muslims in Ecuador have also gone under careful scrutiny by the public and have been associated with terrorism. Concern on terrorist infiltration in Ecuador is low but it is still a concern that may have a detrimental impact on its Muslim population. The connections of the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah is strong in several Latin American countries, and the sizable presence of Lebanese immigrants in Ecuador has made American and Ecuadorian authorities suspicious nevertheless. Islamic proselytism among native Indian populations have been viewed as an act that could allow militant preachers or activists to agitate people into supporting terror acts and groups (UN Commission on Human Rights). As a religious group, Ecuadorian Muslims have also faced challenges that threaten their presence and existence as devout Muslims with a distinct way of life and culture. The following are some of the difficulties that the Ecuadorian Muslim community faces (Hallar): 1. There is a lack of public awareness about the Islamic religion and way of life in general that may account for the discrimination that some experience as a result of their religious affiliation. 2. Maintaining a separate Islamic identity is troublesome and difficult for many believers. Many Ecuadorians practice Islam randomly and without a thorough understanding of Islam and its values, traditions, and principles. This is problematic for many converts because they are unable to develop and maintain a new identity as Muslims. Due to this crisis, they retain the traditions of the old religion and absorb the practices of the dominant culture which contradict Islam. 3. There is a scarcity of Islamic schools or madrasah and access to teachers who can provide adequate instruction on the Arabic language. Learning Arabic is crucial to the Islamic faith because the holy texts such as Quran and the hadiths are all written in Arabic. Well-off Ecuadorians are able to send their children abroad in Egypt or in Libya to acquire formal instruction in Islamic Studies and Arabic but those who cannot afford such an education have difficulty learning. 4. The lack of financial resources also hamper with the objectives of Muslim religious organizations in building masjids, facilities for schooling, and acquisition of religious texts to further Islamic education among Muslim youth and children. 5.There is also a lack of religious preachers who are able to speak Spanish and literate of the traditions and culture of Ecuador to be able to effectively spread the Dawah. Islamic proselytizing is less effective when preachers are unable to speak the language and to adapt to cultural practices. 8. There is also a lack of Islamic secondary schools to help Muslim youth and adolescents develop a solid Islamic identity. Educational resources available in mainstream school do not account for the historical contributions of Muslims in the Latin American continent. Misconceptions about Islam and Muslims are not adequately dispelled and resolved. 9. There is a lack of religious texts that are not translated into Spanish. This makes it difficult for converts to adequately understand and study by themselves the principles that Islam adheres to. 10. Coordination among different Muslim religious organizations is also hampered because of geographical differences which take ample amount of economic resources. There is a need to develop extensive networks within the Muslim population in Ecuador. 11. There are few opportunities for Muslims around the country to convene at confer

Euthanasia Essay - Laws Against Assisted Suicide in Canada :: Physician Assisted Suicide

Laws Against Assisted Suicide in Canada "This is a very special day for me. It's the day of my release, the release from suffering, the release from the torment of my body." Those were the words of the very first Canadian to die through the process of doctor assisted- suicide, with the doctor being Jack Kevorkian. His name was Austin Bastable, and in the last few years of his life he became a crusader for the right to die with dignity. It has been only in these last few years, with the introduction of people such as Dr. Jack Kevorkian and Austin Bastable, that the world has begun to see the benefits made possible by the act of assisted-suicide. The prevention of suffering and pain made possible through this medicide, regarded as immoral for years, affects not only the patient but their immediate and distant relatives as well. Kevorkian told a judicial court the same one day in late April, early May: "Suicide is not the aim. Eliminating suffering is the aim, but you pay a price with the loss of a life." Although Kevorkian's methods have succeeded with some difficulty, in the USA, their northern neighbour, our great dominion of Canada, disallows the administration of this relieving practice. In our grand country assisted suicide is illegal. Cases of other terminally ill persons have surfaced throughout the news, the most prominent being those related to Dr. "Death" Kevorkian. We don't often think on what a terminally ill person might be like. They might be suffering from Lou Gehrig's Disease. They might be suffering from multiple sclerosis. They might be suffering from any number of other types of injuries and diseases. What we don't think about are the cases that bring out our most empathetic feelings. Take the case of one Christine Busalacchi, who was so severely injured in an accident that she now lives in what her father calls a "persistent vegetative condition." Vegetative is precisely the word to describe her condition. She has lost enough weight to cause her to appear as someone else. She has her right leg bent with her knee always in the air and her left foot is frozen in a quite unnatural manner.

Health Hazards in Nursing

Occupational Health Hazards in the Medical Field Kim Chastain AB TECH April 24, 2012 Abstract Medical personnel come into contact with a complex variety of deadly toxins. Contact comes from industrial cleaners, sterilization products, radiation, medications, and mercury. Side effects of these toxic materials are known to lead to a variety of cancers, miscarriages, asthma, birth defects and metabolic syndromes. Government agencies have been negligent in protecting healthcare workers from exposures to these materials.There has never been a government-funded study of these materials and their impact on health and the environment; however independent studies have shown higher rates of disease in healthcare professionals and their children. According to Environmental Working Group (2007), of the 82,000 chemicals in record only around one hundred and eighty have been tested. Thousands of pollutants can be found in any medical setting yet only six have government workplace safety standards. Exposure standards fall to individual facilities to regulate, and vary wildly depending on facility understanding of these toxins. Continued training is recommended when new chemicals and equipment are changed. Healthcare facilities should also be tested on a yearly basis to identify areas of contamination to the employee and patient. Keywords Toxin, hazards, occupational disease In 1970 President Nixon and Congress instituted OSHA to create a safe working environment and NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) to research workplace hazards.While OSHA and NIOSH have clear guidelines for common biohazard procedures, almost nothing exists for chemical and toxin exposures. From doctors and nurses to janitors and mail delivery, anyone who comes into contact with these toxins is at risk. The nature of the nurse or doctors exposure is two fold; consumer contaminates from home and industrial contaminates from work. Illnesses reported by medical personnel range fro m chronic skin dermatitis and asthma to acute life threatening conditions; rare cancers, spontaneous abortions, metabolic syndromes and birth defects.The importance of studying the multigenerational human impact of these contaminates is not only to help the lives of the medical employee, but would result in helping to determine the effects on the population as well. Individuals that work in health care should be aware of workplace exposure to hazardous materials found in the medical industry to better protect themselves. While the government plays catch up with science individuals must be proactive in learning about the dangers and what they can do to make their workplace safer. Locating the DangerIt is no surprise that toxins can be found in a medical setting. What does surprise experts is that there are not more regulations and education on how to handle them. There is no question of the impact that these contaminates have on medical personnel and their families. Environmental Wor king Group (EWG) conducted a survey in 2007 to examine exposure and its effects regarding nurses. Fifteen hundred nurses were asked in a survey to list exposure to eleven common toxins found in a medical setting and health problems seen in their children and themselves. The data is staggering.Organizations around the world have conducted their own investigations into workplace exposure and have found the same results. The conclusion is a global pandemic of cancer, miscarriages and illness never before seen in any other workplace. Figure 1 (Environmental Working Group, 2007) An article by Carol Smith (2010) presents InvestigateWests examination into the regulations surrounding medication exposure regulations and chronicles the impact they pose by following the illness of pharmacist Sue Crump. Ms. Crump at the time of the interview was in the end stages of pancreatic cancer.Crump had spent 23 years working in the medical industry mixing chemo drugs. InvestigateWest found that no gover nment agency has any regulations on exposure to drugs; even those that OSHA has deemed as hazardous. OSHA defines hazardous drugs to knowingly cause cancer, birth defects and other illness. Thomas Conner, a researcher for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has spent four decades studying chemo medications on personnel. He emphasizes that, â€Å"There is no other occupation population (that handles) so many known human carcinogens† (Lifesaving Drugs, Deadly Consequences, 2010, para. 1 ). Unlike the US, European countries have taken notice and placed stronger standards to protect its workers, and most have replaced most toxins with green chemicals. Two Danish studies have found â€Å"a significant increased risk of leukemia among oncology nurses and physicians† and extreme risks of multiple cancers for medical workers (A Silent Threat, 2010, para. 10). Concerned over the growing number of studies NIOSH issued an alert on the dangers of handling tox ic drugs; however they are only recommendations and OSHA has no intent on making them regulatory.According to the Environmental Working Groups Survey on Nurses (2007), starting with the Toxic Substance Control Act in 1976, â€Å"the EPA has not reviewed or even begun gathering safety data for more than eighty percent of the chemicals produced or imported in annual quantities exceeding ten thousand pounds† (The System is Broken, para. 4). This brings in to question the very nature of the agencies that have been put into place to protect its citizens. There seems to be no clear cut standard for how these government agencies handle the data and respond to the people or each other.While each one clearly knows and verifies the existence of the dangers they do nothing about it. Common Toxins Anesthetic Gas Anesthesia is commonly used in dental and surgical procedures. Gases escape can from facemasks, tubes and even regulating machines that were created to control exposure. Although NIOSH has recommended exposure limits for many gases used it is primarily to protect the worker during the procedure. These gases have been found to increase neurological issues, lowered fertility in men and women, miscarriage and higher rates of birth defects in children; articulalry neurological complications. Medications According to EWG, the FDA has approved close to six thousand medications. Even in trace amounts these medications can pose serious effects. No study has ever been conducted to examine the hazard of combining medications in humans. Some chemo drugs are capable of damaging DNA and are known cause certain types of rare cancer. Antiretroviral drugs used for HIV treatment are even more dangerous to a developing fetus. Unnecessary exposure to medication has been linked to everything from skin rashes, asthma, cancer, infertility, and birth defects.Latex and personal care products Latex is a common material used in gloves, catheters, and other plastics. Personal care it ems range from shampoo to shaving cream used by patients. Both were linked to asthma and allergies, ranging from mild reactions to life threatening anaphylaxes. Medical professionals have already been found to have to leave the job because of the seriousness of their allergies. Mercury containing devices Mercury can still be found in devices ranging from thermometers, blood pressure cuffs to non-medical devices, such as batteries and thermostats.It is known to be extremely toxic to the brain and nervous system. Neurological disorders have been found to be higher in medical personnel than other occupations. Children born to nurses exposed during pregnancy have higher degrees of developmental delays and central nervous system diseases. Radiation Radiation can be found in medications and used in life saving medical devices. Imaging machines, such as MRI and CAT scans, have been shown to emit radiation even when protections are in place. Radiation exposure has been proven to cause an in creased rate of miscarriage, cancer and birth defects. SterilizationEthylene oxide & Glutaraldehyde are chemicals used to sterilize anything that cannot be sterilized by steam. Whether the exposure was from the liquid form or spread through evaporation it has been linked allergies, anemia and severe migraines. Recommendations Although many of these contaminates are needed, immediate action should be taken place to insure the health of everyone who works near them. Rigorous standards for the handling of and the exposure to toxins; updated and complete profiles for chemicals and their affects on health and the environment; and investigations on healthcare personnel and their children’s lifespans.Education should be as fast paced as chemical production. Healthcare facilities should have mandatory guidelines for replacing hazards with green alternatives when available and only extensively trained personnel allowed to handle them. Conclusions Since the inception of control and reg ulation of toxins and chemicals the government has banned production of only one chemical, and set very few exposure standards for personnel that are exposed to them. Its apparent in the data that what’s being done currently is not working.No other workforce has been asked not only to risk their lives but the lives of their children as well. Bringing to mind the aftermath of 9/11, when the nation watched as military, medical personnel, police, FEMA, and firemen ran to act. Only this time no one seems to be watching. Families of medical workers, like Sue Crumb, have been left to wonder why nothing has been done. It has been reported that the nursing shortage is over but is expected to reemerge again by 2020 as the largest employed group of nurses retire.If the healthcare industry continues to be a hazard to its staff one could only assume that the shortage will become worse. No one can deny that the current burden on the healthcare system is extreme. When our health care profe ssionals begin to get sick the burden will become greater. By stepping forward now, patient and health professional together, perhaps we can save generations of lives from needless loss. References Brody, J. M. (2007). Improving Disclosure and Consent: â€Å"Is It Safe? † New Ethics for Reporting Personal Exposures to Environmental Chemicals.American Journal Of Public Health, 97(9), 1547. Cooney, C. M. (2003). CDC pegs human exposures to chemicals. Environmental Science & Technology, 37(9), 168A. Toxic Americans. (2003). Ecologist, 33(3), 7. Environmental Working Group. (2007). A Survey on Health and Chemical Exposures. Retrieved from http://www. ewg. org/reports/nursesurvey US Government Accounting Office. (2005) Chemical Regulation: Options Exist to Improve EPA’s Ability to Assess Health Risk and Manage Its Chemical Review Program. [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www. noharm. rg/lib/downloads/chemicals/GAO_Chemical%20Regulation_Rpt. pdf United States Department Of Labor . (2012). Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Retrieved from http://www. osha. gov/ Centers for Disease Control. (2012). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov/niosh/about. html Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (1976). International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Part III, Article 6-7) Retrieved from http://www2. ohchr. rg/english/law/cescr. htm Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry. (2012). Minimal Risk Levels (MELs) for Hazardous Substances. Retrieved from http://www. atsdr. cdc. gov/mrls/mrllist. asp United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). (2009) About the GHS. Retrieved from http://www. unece. org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e. html United States Department of Labor (2012) OSHA Hazard Communication (GHS). Retrieved from http://www. osha. gov/dsg/hazcom/index. html Michaels, D. (2012, March 12) OHSA Revised Hazard Commun ication Standard. Video] Retrieved from http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=uhxp-X6Eqts&context=C4afdff5ADvjVQa1PpcFOfmWo3rcGP16a3ScZVMdv1fYTB5eM1EqQ= US Food and Drug Association (Producer). (2008, January 17). Hazards from Using Cleaners on Medical Equipment. [Video] Retrieved from http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=_zE124CbUuM Smith, C. (2010, July 9). Lifesaving Drugs, Deadly Consequences. Retrieved from http://invw. org/chemo-main Smith, C. (2010, July 10). US Lags Behind on Worker Safeguards. Retrieved from http://seattletimes. nwsource. com/html/localnews/2012327672_chemoosha11. html

buy custom Development of Information Systems essay

buy custom Development of Information Systems essay This paper seeks to establish the development of information systems for the enterprise and their future direction. Information systems are a field that keeps on changing with time and invention of better working tools and, therefore; most enterprises have to follow the change and create a way to accommodate these changes. In this paper, we are going to look at these developments and the direction they are likely to take in the future. This is because any development in the information system will call for more innovations in the elements of information systems. In addition, the paper will consider the needs of the enterprise of many sizes and its future opportunities. Enterprises come in different categories depending on the size and operations. Enterprises in the current world are facing considerable challenges from diverse changes making the traditional enterprise information system be out of date. The timely reaction to market changes has turned out to be the competitive advantag e. Information system refers to the grouping of software, hardware, infrastructure and trained personnel organised to make possible the control, planning, decision-making, and coordination in an organisation. On the other hand, an enterprise refers to a company or a business. The development of information systems is a procedure that involves several steps and the paper will outline these steps. In an enterprise, there exist several relationships between information systems and changes in the enterprise, both within and across firms, which affect the development of information systems. The development in information systems gains exceptional attention as it influences the organisational changes. When analysing the development of information systems we will consider the software, hardware, infrastructure, and trained personnel in line with the enterprises plan, control, coordination, and decision-making. The development of information systems varies with the nature of enterprise and its needs. Different enterprises have varied needs and the change in information system will be in line with these needs. It is, therefore, indispensable for anyone planning to develop an information system of any company or business to consider the nature of enterprise they are dealing with and its needs. There are different types of enterprises including a sole proprietorship, partnership, companies, and corporations. The above types of enterprises have some differences in their ownership, management, liability, amount of capital and their legality. For instance, the sole proprietorship enterprise is whereby the ownership is by one person and so is the management while, for partnership, the management and ownership of the enterprise is by two or more persons. On the other hand, the categorisation of enterprises can be in the form of how the enterprise operates. Examples include Independent enterprises, Competitive enterprises, Supplementary enterprises, and Complementary enterprises. Independent enterprises have no direct bearing on each other an increase in degree of one another neither help nor hinders the level of the other. Competitive enterprises are those, which contend for the available resources while supplementary enterprises are the ones, which can supplement each other. These differences in the different categories of enterprises result in them having different needs, which in turn will call for varied information systems (Kirikova, 2002, p.40). The needs of a corporation will not be the same as those of the partnership business and, therefore; they will have different information systems. We define the development of information system as the change procedure taken with respect to object systems in a set of surroundings by a development group using an organized collection of techniques and tools known as a method to attain or maintain some objectives. The process of development of information system include improvement of both computerized and manual parts of an object system. In the definition of Information System, we see that it includes both computer- supported parts and manual. It is, therefore, essential that the development of information system involve a technique and a method. By a technique, we refer to the set of rules and steps, which characterize how a symbolization of an information system is derived and handled. This is usually by the use of some theoretical structure and related notations. By employing, the technique-procedure system developers observe, define and correspond on certain features of the present or wished object system. Definition and sym bolization of these contexts is by the theoretical structure of the technique and the notation respectively. The tool in use while applying the technique process means a computer- based application, which sustains the use of a modelling technique. Here, there is the abstraction of an object system into replicas, checking that the replicas are dependable, switching results from one form of replica and representation to another, and giving specifications for re-examination. The major examples of modelling techniques are activity models and data flow diagrams. In the case of data flow diagram, it identifies and names the objects and relationships, which it finds necessary in developing an information system. For other techniques, they will involve other sets of relationships and objects in development of information system. Modelling techniques have a representation and a notation. For example, in a data flow diagram the notation for a procedure is circular and for a data flow a concrete line with an arrowhead (Prabhu, Kumara, and Kamath, 2003, p 67). On the other hand, a method is an organized and predefined collection rules and techniques that state what order, by whom, and in what means the techniques are applied to attain or sustain some objectives. This definition includes both the process and product contexts and, therefore, insists on the procedure rather than the representation. The next section we look at the needs of the enterprise of many sizes. In the earlier discussion, the paper analyzed the different classifications of enterprises and, therefore, these enterprises will have varied needs when it comes to system development. We now focus on some of the common needs of the enterprise. For all enterprises, there will be a need for monitoring changes, which involves tracking, changes in businesses, people and industries. In an enterprise, there is the need to know about mergers, emerging risks, people moves, and opportunities and the need to build relationships with new prospects, key customers and business partners. There is the need to link with up with the right people, outlook for new business in any economy, collect intelligence, and measure performance. In addition to the above needs, there is also need to ensure compliance and discover new opportunities from fast-breaking trades. All these needs vary from one enterprise to the other depending on the size and nature of enterprise and in turn determine the development of information systems (Vasilecas, 2005, p 45). In the development of information system, the system developers consider a few steps irrespective of the enterprise. The initial step is of the mission development where missions give the overarching framework for the whole enterprise. The accomplishment of missions by enterprises is by functions and later on refined into database domains. The establishment of all business information systems and database within this enterprise framework makes it work. The second step is the database design, which is built within the enterprise architecture. The basis of database designs is on enterprise-wide data factors, data replicas of concepts, DMBS independent models, and lastly DBMS dependant models. This will ensure total metadata re-use, semantic harmonization, and data interoperability. The following step is prototype generation. Prototypes are usually set in the enterprise architecture and through the generation of these prototypes maximum efforts can be spent on getting a whole set of requirements. Following this step is the specification evolution stage, which is critical as it allows the full set of requirements to be teased out. By using the information system generators, the capability to progress from iteration to the other is straightforward, and one can achieve this in hours. Another major step in the development of information system is the request for proposals. This refers to a formal specification of what the enterprise desires to implement. The document should have all the prototype and metadata described in the earlier stages (Giachetti, 2010, p.12). The document should show the evolution, methods of development, evaluation methods, and monitoring methods of the development of information systems. In the development of information, system, there is the proposal evaluation. This is the process of determining how well, when, costs the development of an information system will require. This stage produces an understanding in regards to the implementation procedure, costs, schedules, reviews, and deliverables. The final stages involve the awarding of contracts, contractor management and conformance testing. So what is the later direction of the development of information systems? The future direction of the development of information systems in dependant on the progress of enterprises, their needs, and innovations in regards to elements of information systems. Different enterprises keep changing in terms of their needs as the enterprises grow and these will in turn affect the information system they use in running their businesses. For instance, a sole trader will change to a company and will, therefore, have to change the information system it was using. This means that the future direction of development of information systems will grow to accommodate these changes and growing needs of the enterprises. With the growing industries, the enterprises have many opportunities of expanding so accommodate the growing demand from the market. In addition, the technology world is rapidly growing, and it is necessary that the enterprises change to contain this change. The software, hardware and other elements of information system will change with time and the enterpri se will need to update these changes in order to ensure efficiency of their services and products. The advancement of these elements of information systems will in turn lead to further development of information systems (Filipe and Cordeiro, 2011, p.63). In the above discussion, we have information on the definition of development of information system in relation to enterprises. The paper looked at the tools and methods applicable in the development of system development, which includes methods and techniques. To understand the development of information systems the paper gave more information on the types of enterprises and their needs. It is evident from the discussion that the needs of an enterprise vary from one enterprise to the other, which makes them need varied information systems. We also analysed the steps system developers undertake in the development of information systems. Information system as a field is a wide field, which keeps on growing and changing with time. The more the innovations the more the field of information systems keeps on changing. This makes the enterprises change their information systems with time to meet their growing needs and demands. For example, when a partnership business enterprise increases its number of key customers it will need to acquire new and better elements of information systems to contain the change. Each day researchers are coming up with better elements of information system that will suit the current environment that enterprises operate in and grow. Buy custom Development of Information Systems essay

Essay on Alex ColvilleEssay Writing Service

Essay on Alex ColvilleEssay Writing Service Essay on Alex Colville Essay on Alex ColvilleAlex Colville is one of the prominent Canadian artists, whose work has a considerable impacton the development of the modern Canadian art. At the same time, Alex Coville developed his style and art works being independent of other artists focusing on the creation of his original, unique style. In such a context, it is quite paradoxical that the artist, who developed his works independently in virtually in isolation from other artists, has managed to become such an influential artist as Alex Colville. In the paper, I’d like to talk about Alex Colville’s work. Colville is not only be liked by Canadians, but also win worldwide acclaim. He always depicted brook, boat and cliffs, and he also depicted the indoor scene, animals and people. In his paintings, they look calm and quiet, however, at the same time, they give people a sense of anxiety.Alex Colville is the authentic artist, who has developed his own style independently of external influences (Mey ers, 2004). The distinct feature of the development of Alex Colville as an artist was his isolation from external influences and the impact of other artists on his style and artistic work is weak (Meyers, 2004). The development of his work occurred steadily but   Alex Colville was always interested in the development of his artistic style and attempted to   convey his vision of the surrounding reality by his works. The artist creates realistic works, which mirror the surrounding reality and show the audience the development of his vision of the world. However, his works are not mere depiction of the reality but also and mainly his works manifests his original style. In such a way, he develops the aesthetic feelings in the audience and helps viewers to see the hidden beauty in conventional things.At the moment, he is one of the most popular Canadian artists, whose works are exhibited regularly and attracted the public attention along with the attention of critics (DeMont, 1994). Smart and Cheetham (2004) emphasize the focus of the artist on senses, which prevail over rational depiction of the reality but his artistic works are still realistic due to the perfect feeling and understanding of the reality. The artist has managed to convey the reality and his perception of the reality to the audience through his senses without even saying a word (Smart Cheetham, 2004). The depiction of the reality by the artist is different from the conventional accurate description of real world items. Instead, the artist creates authentic works, where he uncovers his feelings and emotions that help to perceive the surrounding world through the eyes of the artist and see beauty and miracles in routine objects and things.Researchers insist that the main themes of his work are emotional tension and inner loneliness, the repression and angst of modern man (Meyer, 2000). The artist attempts to uncover those themes and communicate them to the audience with the help of his works of art. The emotional tension makes his works particularly attractive for the audience. Using simple artistic style, the artist focuses the attention of the audience on routine issues, which people often remain unnoticed and ignore them. The artist helps the audience to see the beauty in simple objects and uncovers their inner beauty through his artistic work.At this point, it is possible to refer to his creative work and main paintings created by the artist. In Colville’s paintings, we can see the precise compositions of picture, for example, In Dog and Priest (1987), the black dog and the priest in black are overlap which looks like a man with dog head. In addition, we can refer to the combination of movement and peace. However, the author achieves the effect of overlapping through the light and shadow interplay which help the artist to develop the effect of the overlapping. On the other hand, such overlapping is quite symbolic because the development of the effect of overlapp ing between the dog and the priest, since the image of the dog and the priest are symbols of the simplicity, purity, and friendliness. In such a way, the artist attempts to combine distinct personal features of the dog and priest in one painting and helps the audience to understand that features and traits of character of humans may be similar to that of animals and vice versa.Another remarkable work of the artist is Berlin Bus (1978), which help to convey the artist’s vision of the world. In Berlin bus (1978), a girl is running between a static advertisement and a moving bus, as if to escape from the advertisement and the social environment. Moreover, his paintings give people a sense of mystery that leaves unlimited thinking. In such a way, the artist creates this work of art to convey his response to the emerging consumerism, which has started to overwhelm the world since the late 1970s – the early 1980s. The artist does not accept consumerism as the plausible way o f the development of society and human relations. This is why the girl is trying to escape from its impact. On the other hand, the girl seems to be so tiny and defenseless in face of the ad and the bus, symbols of the growing social impact on the individual and inability of the individual to confront consumerism face to face. Instead, the escape seems to be the only way to minimize its impact on the individual. At the same time, the girl symbolizes the purity, innocence and defenselessness in face of the enormous social impact.In addition, it is possible to refer to such painting as Horses and Train (1954). In Horses and Train (1954), a train is running from far, however, at another side of rail, a strong horse is also running to meet the train. A tragedy is inevitable. The artist only painted this moment and let people to contemplate what will happen next, to join a moment of quite and shock. At the same time, the painting is quite symbolic since it shows the clash of the nature an d technology. The artist implies that the nature seems to be defenseless and weak in face of the technology but still the horse is running boldly to meet the train that means that nature still has some inner, hidden power, which makes it able to confront human technology. Moreover, the artist shows the beauty of nature in face of the human technology.At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that themes and issues that emerge in works of Alex Colville originate from his personal values and views that formed under the impact of his personal life and experience. When Colville was young, he enlisted in the army to be a war artist, so, he wanted to pass his idea through the paintings: oppose to the war, love peace and happiness. This thought is not a patent of a state or a nation, but is the pursuit of all human beings. In such a context, the clash of the nature and technology symbolizes the clash of the natural good and evil that can be brought by human technologies. He also attem pts to show the intrinsic goodness of the natural world through the depiction of the natural world and the hidden threat in the technological world created by humans.Thus, the development of the artistic work of Alex Colville occurred under the impact of his personal experience, which shaped his views and beliefs. Alex Colville has never tried to imitate other artists. Instead, he conveyed his own vision of the world through his original style and technique. He uses symbols to make his works of art more eloquent and interesting for the audience. Alex Colville has managed to create his own style and draw the attention of the audience to such important issues as war and peace, consumerism and humanistic values, confrontation between wild nature and technology.

Case 3 Ben and Jerrys Essays

Case 3 Ben and Jerrys Essays Case 3 Ben and Jerrys Essay Case 3 Ben and Jerrys Essay In this case we are introduced to an ice cream company named Ben Jerry’s. Founded in 1978 in Vermont, this once small time ice cream shop has developed into one of the world’s largest ice cream producers with sales in excess of $237 million as of 2000. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield’s unique relationship has proved successful for the past 30 years in part because of their social consciousness and their down-to-earth attitudes. This article is divided mainly into two parts; first the author summarizes the social consciousness of Ben Jerry’s Homemade and how it has led to their success in their industry. Secondly the author goes into detail about the offers that have been made for the ice cream giant by numerous companies and investment firms that were in the running to buy out Ben Jerry’s Homemade. We begin by discussing the social responsibility that Ben Jerry’s has been known for over 30 years now. Their three-part mission statement focuses on their product as well as the economic and social impact of their company, not only locally but also nationally and internationally. It becomes apparent that founders Cohen and Greenfield worry about more than just their bottom line. In an interview Cohen was quoted as being indifferent about the company’s stock prices and how the market had treated Ben Jerry’s as a whole: â€Å"I think the stock market goes up and down, unrelated to how a company is doing† (Bruner 43). This laid back attitude describes Cohen and Greenfield’s philosophy in a nutshell. It seems that they believe if you run a business efficiently and ethically, profits and success will soon follow. This has certainly been the case in spite of all the money the company donates and gives back to the respective communities in which the businesses thrive. They use cause-related marketing to show consumers that what they are doing during the production of their product is helping reduce their impact on the environment. It is one thing to â€Å"greenwash† and act as if the company really values these environmental issues, but according to this article Ben Jerry’s Homemade has really taken these issues to heart. The second part of the article focuses on the tender offers made to purchase Ben Jerry’s Homemade. The article describes four main players in the potential purchase of the ice cream company. Included are Dreyer’s-Grand, Unilever, Meadowbrook Lane Capital and Chartwell Investments. Althought the article does not say if any of these proposed deals panned out, it did go into detail about some of the numbers in the deals. At the time of the offers Ben Jerry’s Homemade was selling for about $21/share. Offers ranged from a $31/share stock purchase to a $36/share cash buyout, both well over the $21/share that the shares were selling for before the offer announcement. We are left with a scene of Henry Morgan, a member of the board of Ben Jerry’s Homemade, during his flight to Vermont for a board meeting to discuss the future of the company. In the meeting the board of directors would undoubtedly decide the fate of the independent company and try to figure out if accepting one of these offers would in fact create shareholder value which the company had not previously been doing according to their average return on shareholder’s equity.

Mechanical Ethics Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Mechanical Ethics - Article Example This is an ethical concern because the engineers had the knowledge of the problem and failed to communicate on the issue. The company had to recall the vehicles for proper fixation. General motors paid more attention to the ignition problem. The engineers became more innovative in the process. They had to install a key ring that prevented the movement of the ignition key in an up-down motion. The company had to invest more in research and development. The aim of the research was to understand the ignition problem for the betterment of the product. The company was able to address the safety concerns and became alert to potential problems. It was unethical that the company knew the problem through its engineers, but decided to ignore the concern. Most of the crashes occurred where the drivers exceeded the speed limits on unpaved roads. Ethically, the company needed to issue a disclaimer that the vehicles were not fit for high speed on such roads. The recall was not cost effective for the company as it embarked on actions that would save the situation. My opinion on the issue is that the company was ethically wrong to ignore such a concern. It is not in order to put the lives of people at risk with an aim of profit maximization. The company should embrace and uphold customer safety rules and regulations. This would ensure that the customers became satisfied with any decisions that the company made. The company has clear ethical policies laid down in its Memorandum of Association. It should ensure the production of safe and clean products that are consistent with the generally accepted international standards. I will use my knowledge and expertise to ensure that the human welfare is enhanced. I will be honest in every project that I undertake. I will ensure that the decisions I make are free of bias. I will strive to become a professional of integrity to my employer, the clients, and the public.  

Keurig System in the Office Coffee Market Case Study

Keurig System in the Office Coffee Market - Case Study Example This type of system is attractive in the office coffee market because it allows employees to choose the flavour they want. The chosen flavour is then ready in just 30 seconds. The cups are made to fit just the Keurig system. This would allow employees to only experience the different types at the office. This also eliminated maintenance associated with traditional brewers. Employees were also no longer tempted to take supplies home. Nick Lazaris has a huge predicament involving Keurig and MTS machine manufacturing. MTS is demanding more money than originally estimated. After finishing the project, MTS has asked for an additional $180,000 in payments. This was asked for because the machine took additional funds to get finished. There are many things Nick can do in this type of situation. Nick Lazaris should hold a meeting with MTS and discuss either continuing business or take up business with another manufacturer. If MTS required additional funds, they should have contacted Nick and explained that they would not be able to release the first packaging line until additional money was received. Instead of using unethical business decisions, MTS waited until the last minute and demanded additional funds. It would be in Keurigs favour in the long run to seek out business with a different manufacturer. The business ethics presented by Keurig at the beginning of production stages can only get worse as time goes on. MTS may start to demand more money and cause additional problems in the future. Nicks strategy needs to focus on letting MTS know that there are other manufacturers out there and MTS needs Keurig, not the other way around. The focused goal for production should achieve all the objectives of allowing all companies to succeed. Fair business is important. The amount should be the original $700,000 plus any additional cost that MTS had to pay out of pocket. The vendor selection for the brewing machines must be fair.     

The Development of G-20 and G-8 Countries Term Paper

The Development of G-20 and G-8 Countries - Term Paper Example They are manufacturing countries and the huge exports provide for the main avenue to an acquisition of wealth, power, and high employment rates unlike developing ones which depend on small-scale exports of farm produce and other little-valued trade related products. However, it is worth noting that relative poverty exists between G-20 and G-8 Countries. This relative poverty phenomenon can best be accounted for if we study different macroeconomic indicators. And these are: By the end of third quarter, the consumer price index CPI for all urban consumers increased to 0.6 %; it rose 0.4% before seasonal adjustment It had also heightened 0.4%. This CPI increased by from 2.0% compared to the earlier level. The employment rate represents the total number of people working whether on the permanent or casual basis. It suggests that over 63% people in the population, men and women have had employment. We got job losers, job seekers who stay out of employment for weeks or months. Some get new jobs and some don’t. The output is huge in the manufacturing of nondurables showing that the USA is an industrial country. The statistics show variations but it gives us a clear picture of the nature of productive activities. This is a good indication of economic dynamics in the USA. Secession is a political crisis which involves a state or a group of states seeking separation and complete sovereignty from the federal or main government. The eleven of the Southern States which were fifteen in number believed that it was within their constitutional right to seek secession in 1806 and 1861. However, they were defeated during the American Civil War. Over 600,000 people perished. The Supreme Court declared secession unconstitutional, though the Southern States had concrete reasons for secession. They hated slavery which was legalized in the South. This happened before Abraham Lincoln took office oath. The recession caused people to lose jobs and weakened the Union in terms of military strength, US Foreign Policy. International trade had a downfall too. It also motivated more states to petition secession moves.

Future of healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Future of healthcare - Essay Example The government should make the health care system a single pay and nationalize all medical insurance services as well as investing extra in the system to reduce the cost of recurrent spending. The increasing stratification in health care access and provision are other daring challenges facing the U.S health care system. For example, the approach to ask individuals to pay more for their health care will result in stratification in medicare provision. Hooper (2009) predicts that those paying higher insurance premiums will get access to a wider variety of health care services than the struggling middle class and lower class who cannot afford such high premiums. Therefore, the government should adopt a policy that dictates health care provision to all irrespective of the ability to pay. In other words, as Pasdirtz (2007) presents it, the state should reduce privatization of the health care provision. Lastly, the number of the uninsured population in U.S is surprisingly growing with an estimated 45 million people currently being in the uninsured group. The implication is that those uninsured will miss out on better health care provision ad Medicare hence painting a denting image on the government as having failed to give its subjects sufficient health care. The government should bridge the gap between the disadvantaged and the high-income

Wireless technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Wireless technology - Essay Example There is no government regulation (worldwide) controlling use of it. Infrared has immunity to electro-magnetic and RF interference. In addition, Infrared communication is secure and separate infrared installation can be operated in every room in a building without interference. Limitation of it is that infrared signals cannot penetrate solid objects and affected by the light, snow, ice, and fog. The term narrowband microwave refers to the use of a microwave radio frequency band for signal transmission, with relatively narrow bandwidth: just wide enough to accommodate the signal, typically 12.5 kHz or 25 kHz. Because of it works in very short bandwidth, therefore it comes in licensed and unlicensed categories. Unlicensed (ISM) Narrowband microwave works in three bandwidth spectrum (900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.7 GHZ). It can provide a data rate from 1to 20 Mbps. Narrow bandwidth combined with high power results in larger transmission distances that are available from 900 MHz or 2.4 GHz spread spectrum systems, which have lower power levels and wider bandwidths. UHF wireless data communication systems normally transmit in the 430 to 470 MHz frequency range, with rare systems using segments of the 800 MHz range. The lower portion of this band 430-450 MHz is often referenced as unprotected (unlicensed) and 450-470 MHz is referred to as the protected (licensed) band. It has a range of ap proximately 100 meter for indoor and 1 to 2 miles for outdoor. The main advantage of UHF is its range. The disadvantage of these technologies (UHF) is its low throughput. RF license are required for protected bands that are provided by radio authorities in each country who regulate and license specific frequencies to users. (Guide to Wireless LAN Technologies) The most commonly used Wireless technology is spread spectrum that can provide a data rate up to 20 Mbps. Because the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) does not require site licensing for the bands used by

Antebellum families and women generally(base on the book I list in Essay

Antebellum families and women generally(base on the book I list in details) - Essay Example He notes that the Celias defense questioned the role of the white man as the protector of women within southern society, analyzing the concept of male honor, a key factor of the Souths social system. It highlighted the plight of young female slaves who were sexually manipulated. The case had a major significance in that it created boundaries of slavery in Missouri. Celias story generally portrays a political and legal system that condoned rape and sexual abuse of female slaves in Antebellum families. In the 1800s, slavery became an ingrained economic and legal institution (Williamson and Cain, 1). In Antebellum families, owning slaves was prestigious, a measure of wealth. Bales notes that slaves cost around $40,000 in Antebellum at the time. Robert Newson viewed his slaves as a perfect reward for the years he had spent laboring (McLaurin, 8). Slaves were used and abused by their master, and Newton’s relations with Celia were no different. Newton raped his new slave on their trip home, an indication that he hoped to use her as a sexual tool following his wife’s death (McLaurin 18). Newton employed her as the house cook, a possible cover up of his sexual relations with Celia. She was exposed to continuous sexual exploitation by her master (McLaurin 22) who considered sexual relations with her his privilege (McLaurin 28-29). He granted her favors due to their sexual relationship. She owned her own cabin very close to the family house - a very rare occurrence in Antebe llum America. She bore two children, believed to be fathered by Newton. Slaves were regarded as insignificant. They were powerless and defenseless. Gordon-Reed (p.50) highlights the paradoxical role of sexual relations between masters and slaves, despite the stigma attached to slaves. When George, a fellow slave fell in love with Celia, he was so frustrated that he could not protect Celia from the man who owned them both (McLaurin 25). Slaves were their owners’ property. George and Celia were

Future of healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Future of healthcare - Essay Example The government should make the health care system a single pay and nationalize all medical insurance services as well as investing extra in the system to reduce the cost of recurrent spending. The increasing stratification in health care access and provision are other daring challenges facing the U.S health care system. For example, the approach to ask individuals to pay more for their health care will result in stratification in medicare provision. Hooper (2009) predicts that those paying higher insurance premiums will get access to a wider variety of health care services than the struggling middle class and lower class who cannot afford such high premiums. Therefore, the government should adopt a policy that dictates health care provision to all irrespective of the ability to pay. In other words, as Pasdirtz (2007) presents it, the state should reduce privatization of the health care provision. Lastly, the number of the uninsured population in U.S is surprisingly growing with an estimated 45 million people currently being in the uninsured group. The implication is that those uninsured will miss out on better health care provision ad Medicare hence painting a denting image on the government as having failed to give its subjects sufficient health care. The government should bridge the gap between the disadvantaged and the high-income

Antebellum families and women generally(base on the book I list in Essay

Antebellum families and women generally(base on the book I list in details) - Essay Example He notes that the Celias defense questioned the role of the white man as the protector of women within southern society, analyzing the concept of male honor, a key factor of the Souths social system. It highlighted the plight of young female slaves who were sexually manipulated. The case had a major significance in that it created boundaries of slavery in Missouri. Celias story generally portrays a political and legal system that condoned rape and sexual abuse of female slaves in Antebellum families. In the 1800s, slavery became an ingrained economic and legal institution (Williamson and Cain, 1). In Antebellum families, owning slaves was prestigious, a measure of wealth. Bales notes that slaves cost around $40,000 in Antebellum at the time. Robert Newson viewed his slaves as a perfect reward for the years he had spent laboring (McLaurin, 8). Slaves were used and abused by their master, and Newton’s relations with Celia were no different. Newton raped his new slave on their trip home, an indication that he hoped to use her as a sexual tool following his wife’s death (McLaurin 18). Newton employed her as the house cook, a possible cover up of his sexual relations with Celia. She was exposed to continuous sexual exploitation by her master (McLaurin 22) who considered sexual relations with her his privilege (McLaurin 28-29). He granted her favors due to their sexual relationship. She owned her own cabin very close to the family house - a very rare occurrence in Antebe llum America. She bore two children, believed to be fathered by Newton. Slaves were regarded as insignificant. They were powerless and defenseless. Gordon-Reed (p.50) highlights the paradoxical role of sexual relations between masters and slaves, despite the stigma attached to slaves. When George, a fellow slave fell in love with Celia, he was so frustrated that he could not protect Celia from the man who owned them both (McLaurin 25). Slaves were their owners’ property. George and Celia were

Firm value and share price strategy Essay Example for Free

Firm value and share price strategy Essay BAE facing challenges on Intensive competition and budget defence cuts by their major customers should focus on increasing shareholders’ equity by reduction of costs, adapting capabilities to the changing priorities of their customers and improve their Programme execution. Directors should monitor working capital expenditures to ensure that unnecessary further debt would be incurred that inevitably has an effect on book values. Higher book values (stockholders’ equity) act as a positive in a buyers assessment of purchase price, to some extent providing at least the illusion of a floor in value (Nation’s Business 2006). 4) Recommendations dealing with corporate governance Currently BAE Systems has faced problems facing its shareholders due to its criticism received on corporate governance and ethical conduct (Daily Mail 2010). As a recommendation, BAE should follow the financial reporting council (FRC) proposition on putting greater emphasis on the principles of UK’s corporate governance code, and apply the annual shareholder re-election. This would have a significant impact a wider engagement for the company’s shareholders. A necessary midyear review process should be conducted by an external facilitator to help in the evaluation process, metrics such as board effectiveness by dealing with issues in a timely manner should be considered. Having a wide and complex set of operations, information dissemination in a timely manner is very important to ensure appropriate decisions. Key performance Indicators should be the guideline across all the managing directors and their performance will be evaluated by comparison of their actual results from targets. 5) Critical evaluation of the model used Using financial models can provide actual figures for projection analysis that can create awareness for a company’s board of directors (Palmgren 1999). The Residual Income Model can be used as a valuation of the firm, based on its total book value and residual income (Financial Education 2010). During recent years it has been used as the primary valuation method due to its measurement of internal corporate performance and feasible estimation of the intrinsic value of common stock. The difference between a residual income and traditional financial statements are for the latter its purpose of preparation is to reflect earnings available to its owners, charges incurred for equity capital and dividends are not included, while the former adds the component of cost of equity capital for its calculation (Dodd 2001). Another limitation of the traditional income model is that it may not actually reflect the value of certain business activities. Such in our case with BAE system’s numerous acquisitions, on its accounting model it seems that BAE have significantly improved profitability on its strategies, however this could not be all false, but using the residual income approach some of the acquisitions doesn’t have the kind of effect, due again to the cost of equity capital (Bild, Guest,Cosh and Runsten 2002). 6) Conclusion BAE Systems being in an industry where intense competition exists should apply necessary strategies to ensure profitability in the coming years both for continuous operation and maximizing shareholders equity. Their current strategies for acquisition may have benefited them but the cost of violation of regulation procedures have definitely impacted over all operations. Using financial models like the residual income model, the board of directors can see, what would happen if they continue with their current policies on corporate strategy and governance, it has shown a negative impact on present firm’s value, thus the recommendation for consideration of a new effective strategy to be implemented across the board. List of References BAE Systems (2010) Annual Report 2009.[PDF] Available from http://bae-systems-investor- relations-2009. production. investis. com/results-reports-and-presentations. aspx [09 May 2010]. Brylawski, M. (1995). Developing a circumstance-based Innovation Strategy for a Midsized Aerospace Manufacturer:Fostering Entreprenuership, Opening Boundaries and Seeding Disruption. [PDF] Available from http://dspace. mit. edu/bitstream/handle/1721. 1/34748/56606619. pdf? sequence=1. [09 May 2010]. Bild, M. , Guest,P. , Cosh, A. , and Runsten, M. (2002). Do takeovers create value? A residual income approach on UK data. [PDF] Daily Mail (2010). BAE flies into storm with shareholders. Available from http://www. thisismoney. co. uk/markets/article. html? in_article_id=503922in_page_id= 3. [09 May 2010]. Dodd, J. (2001). Operating income, residual income and EVA: Which metric is more value relevant. Journal of Managerial Issues. Financial Education (2010). The Residual Income Valuation Model. Available from http://financial-education. com/2007/10/30/the-residual-income-valuation-model/ [09 May 2010]. Financial Times (2010). FT Market Data BAE Systems. Available from http://markets. ft. com/ft/tearsheets/analysis. asp? s=BA.:LSE. [09 May 2010]. Nation’s Business (1996). 10 ways to increase your firms value Net Worth. Available from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m1154/is_n11_v84/ai_18818240/. [09 May 2010]. Palmgren, B. (1999). The Need for Financial Models. Available from http://www. ercim. eu/publication/Ercim_News/enw38/palmgren. html. [09 May 2010]. Smith, T Frost,L. (2008). BAE Buys Tenix Defence to Double Sales in Australia. [Online] Available from http://www. bloomberg. com/apps/news? sid=aV7YIxXunPvspid=20601087 [09 May 2010]. Wachman, R. (2010). BAE Systems hit by defence cuts. Available from http://www. guardian. co. uk/business/2010/mar/22/bae-systems-defence-spending-cuts [09 May 2010]. West, K (2010). BAE goes top of the global arms league. [Online] Available from http://www. thisismoney. co. uk/news/article. html? in_article_id=502716in_page_id=2 [09 May 2010]. Appendices Appendix 1 Five year Summary Income Statement of BAE Systems. Source: retrieved 9 May 2010 Extract from Annual Report 2009 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/five-year-summary. aspx Appendix 2 Group Income Statement. Source: Extract from Annual Report 2009 for the year ended 31 December. Retrieved 10 May 2010 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/group-income-statement. aspx Notes 2009 ?m Total 2009 ?m 2008 ?m Total 2008 ?m Continuing operations Combined sales of Group and equity accounted investments 3 22,415 18,543 Less: share of sales of equity accounted investments 3 (2,041) (1,872) Revenue 3 20,374 16,671 Operating costs 4 (20,060) (15,386) Other income 5 465 415 Group operating profit excluding amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 2,038 2,003. Amortisation 11 (286) (247) Impairment 11 (973) (56) Group operating profit 779 1,700 Share of results of equity accounted investments excluding finance costs and taxation expense 233 132 Financial (expense)/income of equity accounted investments 6 (7) 44 Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (23) (37) Share of results of equity accounted investments 14 203 139 Goodwill impairment in respect of equity accounted investments 14 (121) Contribution from equity accounted investments 203 18 EBITA1 excluding non-recurring items 2,220 1,897 Profit on disposal of businesses2 9. 68 238 Pension curtailment gains2 261 Regulatory penalties3 (278) EBITA1 2,271 2,135 Amortisation (286) (247) Impairments (973) (177) Financial (expense)/income of equity accounted investments 6 (7) 44 Taxation expense of equity accounted investments (23) (37) Operating profit 3 982 1,718 Finance costs 6 Financial income 1,573 3,380 Financial expense (2,273) (2,727) (700) 653 Profit before taxation 282 2,371 Taxation expense 8 UK taxation (105) (351) Overseas taxation (222) (252) (327) (603) (Loss)/profit for the year (45) 1,768 Attributable to: BAE Systems shareholders (67) 1,745 Minority interests 22 23 (45) 1,768 (Loss)/earnings per share 10 Basic (loss)/earnings per share (1. 9)p 49. 6p Diluted (loss)/earnings per share (1. 9)p 49. 5p Appendix 3 Group Balance Sheet as at 31 December. Source: Extract from Annual Report 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2010 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/balance-sheet. aspx Notes 2009 ?m 2008 Restated ?m Fixed assets Tangible assets 2 4 5 Investments in subsidiary undertakings 3 7,070 5,663 7,074 5,668 Current assets Debtors due within one year 4. 7,468 9,339 Debtors due after one year 4 14 3 Other financial assets due within one year 262 703 Other financial assets due after one year 5 179 478 Cash at bank and in hand 5 2,804 1,988 10,725 12,511 Liabilities falling due within one year Loans and overdrafts 6 (37) (49) Creditors 7 (14,490) (12,873) Other financial liabilities 5 (255) (598) (14,782) (13,520) Net current liabilities (4,057) (1,009) Total assets less current liabilities 3,017 4,659 Liabilities falling due after one year Loans 6 (233) (258) Creditors 7 (3) (6) Other financial liabilities 5 (327) (574). (563) (838) Provisions for liabilities and charges 8 (61) (120) (2,393) (3,701) Capital and reserves Issued share capital 10 90 90 Share premium account 12 1,243 1,238 Statutory reserve 13 202 202 Other reserves 12 119 164 Profit and loss account 12 739 2,007 Equity shareholders’ funds 2,393 3,701 Appendix 4 Group Cash Flow for the year ended 31 December. Source: Extract from Annual Report 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2010 http://bae-systems-investor-relations-2009. production. investis. com/financial-information/cash-flow. aspx Notes 2009 ?m 2008 ?m (Loss)/profit for the year (45) 1,768. Taxation expense 327 603 Share of results of equity accounted investments 14 (203) (139) Net finance costs 700 (653) Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 1,600 755 Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 4, 5 (17) (33) Gain on disposal of investment property 5 – (5) Gain on disposal of businesses 5 (68) (238) Cost of equity–settled employee share schemes 52 51 Movements in provisions 52 (115) Decrease in liabilities for retirement benefit obligations (657) (272) Decrease/(increase) in working capital: Inventories 6 46 Trade and other receivables 52 (5). Trade and other payables 433 246 Cash inflow from operating activities 2,232 2,009 Interest paid (250) (249) Interest element of finance lease rental payments (2) (5) Taxation paid (350) (261) Net cash inflow from operating activities 1,630 1,494 Dividends received from equity accounted investments 14 77 89 Interest received 66 156 Purchases of property, plant and equipment (483) (520) Purchases of intangible assets (42) (32) Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 36 44 Proceeds from sale of investment property – 5 Purchase of subsidiary undertakings 27, 29 (357) (1,078). Cash and cash equivalents acquired with subsidiary undertakings 27 33 2 Purchase of equity accounted investments 27 (1) (12) Proceeds from sale of subsidiary undertakings 9 2 131 Cash and cash equivalents disposed of with subsidiary undertakings – (60) Proceeds from sale of equity accounted investments 9 70 16 Net proceeds from (purchase)/sale of other deposits/securities (209) 164 Net cash outflow from investing activities (808) (1,095) Capital element of finance lease rental payments (13) (18) Proceeds from issue of share capital 5 16 Purchase of own shares (25) (43) Equity dividends paid 28. (534) (478) Dividends paid to minority interests (5) (11) Cash inflow/(outflow) from matured derivative financial instruments 36 (440) Cash (outflow)/inflow from movement in cash collateral (11) 106 Cash inflow from loans 920 Cash outflow from repayment of loans (133) (306) Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities 240 (1,174) Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 1,062 (775) Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 2,605 3,046 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 11 334 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 3,678 2,605.