Friday, December 27, 2019

Impact Of Household Credit On Education - 953 Words

Doan, D., Gibson, J., Holmes, M. (2014). Impact of Household Credit on Education and Healthcare Spending by the Poor in Peri-Urban Areas, Vietnam. Journal of Southeast Asian Economies, 31(1), 87-103. The authors of this article are affiliated with the University of Waikato in New Zealand (The University of Waikato, n.d.). Tinh Doan was a PhD student at the university for three years, between 2007 and 2010, who studied the impact of microfinance on human capital formation (Doan, n.d.). In the past four years, he has published ten articles that relate to Vietnam and how their economy is influenced by a multitude of factors, including import competition, productivity spillover, and employee benefits (Doan, n.d.). The other two men, John†¦show more content†¦The article uses a statistical test, Propensity Score Matching (PSM), with a control group of 107 households, who does not receive any financial support, and a treatment group of 304 households, who receive financial support from any type of formal lender. The PSM matches the control group family to the treatment group family by identifying their similarities. In order to be matched, each family must have similar observa ble characteristics/factors which includes an income that falls below the poverty line of VND6 million (Doan et al., 2014). The most relevant aspect of this idea is that it shows the correlation between families who formal receive micro-credit and those who do not. The authors found that the families who received micro-credit spent about VND81,000-99,000 more on education and VND93,000 more on health care (Doan et al., 2014). There is evidence, at the 5 percent confidence level, which shows that the impact is significant. Therefore, families in peri-urban Vietnam, who receive a formal micro-credit loan, are more inclined to spend money on health care and education. I can use this to show that microcredit does alter how families spend their money. This article uses a quantitative method to show impact. Doan offers an example of a flaw in their method resulting from selection bias if the correlation between matched houses occurs due to the unobservable

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Essay On Post-Traumatic Disorder In The Things They Carried

Students’ Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Name/Code: Date: Post-Traumatic Disorder in the Things They Carried It is only natural for an individual to have memories over a period following a bad experience such as war, witnessing death, or any other traumatic experiences. However, these memories, manifesting in the form of dreams, flashbacks or thoughts, or feelings may exist in some people for longer periods, and could lead to a mental disorder. According to Grohol (n.d), when a person directly witnesses an extremely traumatic, tragic, or terrifying event, the memories or feelings associated with such an experience may extended for a protracted period, more than considered normal, resulting in a mental disorder, Posttraumatic Stress†¦show more content†¦With such an understanding of the nature of PTSD, symptoms, and manifestations, it is evident and arguably logical to observe that even though not expressly mentioned in the book â€Å"The Things They Carriedâ €  the disorder manifests in the different characters or individuals whom Tim O’Brien narrates about in the different stories in the book. The protagonist, who is also the author of the book, chooses the title â€Å"The Things They Carry† to imply the different physical items or the non-physical â€Å"things† that the members of the Alpha Company, the fighting unit in which the different characters described and narrated about in the stories, carry before, during, and after the war. The different members of the Alpha Company, as narrated, bring to the unit Surname PAGE 7 different things that they carry, such as candy, rifles (which are a part of military equipment but carry a deeper meaning), matchboxes, drugs, and photographs, which are all a tangible items. At the same time, they bring memories, ideas, perceptions, and convictions, such as the protagonist’s conviction or belief that the war was unjustified in the first place, and almost made him no t to honor his draft into the military. The tangible and intangible things carried by the members of the alpha company,Show MoreRelatedThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1026 Words   |  5 PagesSynthesis Essay In the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, Tim O’Brien explains the different events both he and his fellow comrades soldiers experienced in the Vietnam War. Tim retells the stories of his own traumatic events as well as stories he has heard from his friends. Some stories affect the soldiers greatly while other stories do not affect them as much. The character Norman Bowker from Tim O’Brien’s novel demonstrates the four main symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder. PostRead MoreMental Health Accommodations For Our Military Men And Women Sufficient1548 Words   |  7 Pagessupport they need to treat this mental illness. Because of these circumstances the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs, also known as the VA, was created for any beneficial service to American soldiers. Veterans with PTSD, also known as post-traumatic stress disorder, are served by mental health professionals with specialized proficiency in all medical accommodations, and VA has inpatient and residential rehabilitation options across the country. Veterans with a serious mental illness are consultedRead MoreThe Criminalization Of Prostitution Does More Harm Than Good When Often Women1275 Words   |  6 Pagesand regulate prostitution instead. I thought overall my essay turned out pretty good; prostitution was an interesting topic to research and write about. I think my essay could have been a bit better because I was a bit pressed for time these past few weeks with finals, and I didn’t get the chance to have another person read the final product. I think that if I were to revise it again, I would have another person take a look at the final essay and give me some feedback about the strength of my overallRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Vietnam Veteran Tim O Brien1629 Words   |  7 Pagesthough they ‘won the war’, the costs outweighed the benefits because they have to carry all of the things they did in the war zone with them the rest of their lives. In The Things They Carried, Vietnam veteran Tim O’Brien repeatedly says that he has an intense need to write down the stories of his oversees experiences even though the memories are too painful to think about. With that in mind, this essay se eks to answer the questions: Does writing about their experience help soldiers cope? What aboutRead MoreWhy Marijuana Should Be Legal960 Words   |  4 PagesA college student walking down the street on a pitch black night, has a brief encounter with a cop while smoking a joint for his post-traumatic stress disorder, and unfortunately gets arrested, even though marijuana seems to be his only temporary cure. I believe marijuana has many medical benefits, and certain people need it to live a normal, productive life. Opponents of legalizing it have argued that doing so would do more harm than good, however they turn a blind eye to scientific studies provingRead MoreThe Effects Of Workplace On Health And Wellbeing Of Their Employees1508 Words   |  7 Pages organisations and employee relations practitioners can play a role in minimising the impact of workplace bullying, consequently, each individual employee must do their own part to minimize the impact of bullying in the workplace. The aim of this essay is to describe and discuss some of the reasons as to why workplace bullying occurs and if it does occur what can be done to reduce its effects. PARA 1 Workplace bullying behaviour are the tactics bullies use to intimidate and harass their victimsRead MoreWhen Memories Become Traumatic : A Reading of Jamila Hashmi’s Exile and Joginder Paul’s Dariyaon Pyas2325 Words   |  9 Pagesare recalled more frequently especially traumatic events like sexual abuse are interrelated with strong negative emotions. It must be seen that emotions which have strong relation with memory also depends on how the victim has been traumatised by these incidents. Memory becomes a complex phenomenon that often reaches far beyond what constitutes the historian’s archives. Memory is not only what mind can remember but also documents the things that we don’t want to remember. It can alsoRead MoreThe, Old Blood And Guts, By George Patton Jr.1151 Words   |  5 Pagesthem! Shortly after this Patton made his biggest, and quite likely most famous mistake of his career. While visiting a hospital for wounded soldiers in Italy, Patton slapped and verbally abused two Shell-Shocked ( what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD) soldiers accusing them of faking it to get out of the fighting. Patton was forced to apologize, taken out of action, and his promotion to Major General was postponed. The United States, however, knew they couldn t just wasteRead MoreWhy Is the Initial Consultation so Important? What Factors Will an Ethical Therapist Cover at This Time?2216 Words   |  9 PagesDuring this essay I will be discussing ethics and what ethical issues the therapist faces in relation to initial consultation with the client. What an initial consultation is and why it is so important that one is completed without exception. I will also explore what the process is, what happens at the initial consultation, and how the therapist will gather the required information. I also aim to explore what benefits and contra indications there are for having an initial consultation. AccordingRead MoreThe And Tears : Grieving A Lost Childhood2442 Words   |  10 Pagesanswer but a brief examination of grief, trauma and attachment theories may help explain much of what has transpired in my life to date. This essay documents the quest for understanding and resolution that has been an amalgam of psychological, psychosocial, emotional, and creative pursuits, complete with interventions and setbacks. This essay will examine first-hand how grief can become maladaptive to the point of being an all-encompassing impairment of significant magnitude. My little

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Metamorphosis Of Narcissus Salvador Dali Essay Example For Students

Metamorphosis Of Narcissus Salvador Dali Essay The painting Metamorphosis of Narcissus was created in 1937 by oil on canvas by Salvador Dali. This painting uses a lot of images to say what it means, for example, a person, a hand, water, a starving dog, a chess board, a canyon or cliff, and people. This is not to fill the paper or distract the viewer from the suggested meaning or point, but to support the idea that hope and despair are reflections of one another; on opposite sides of a coin, spinning in mid-air, waiting to land and fix or destroy everything. The first thing that one thinks upon first seeing it, from far away, is that Dali just painted the same thing twice. From afar, it appears as if he simply cut the canvas down the middle and made one side brown and the other blue, but on closer inspection, one sees that the two sides, although very similar, are nothing alike. On one side, there sits a limp body staring at the reflection of herself in the water that she sinks in. The setting sun glistens off the back of her head, but she just wallows in grim depression and boredom. The canyons trap her in the barren wasteland as she sits motionless, without movement, struggle, or life. This mysterious figure looks so vacant that it might as well be dead. Nothing is happening on this side, so ones attention is directed to the other. On the other side, a blue decaying hand emerges from the ground with ants crawling on it, possibly making their homes in it or finding food on it. Atop this pedestal, rests an egg with a flower sprouting from it. This display of life emerging from the dead is a symbol of hope and beauty. To the left of the hand, a very unhealthy malnourished dog feasts on fresh meat; his salvation is handed to him and he survives. Behind the dog is a chess board with a young man in the middle of it, proudly surveying the battlefield as though it were his kingdom. To his left are people on a road that leads off into the horizon. All these things symbolize new beginnings out of old life and hope from death. The message that Salvador Dali was trying to get across is that hope and despair, failure and victory, and life and death are all equal forces, each one pulling the other in an eternal war to balance everything. Its all a cycle, and like all cycles, it repeats itself forever and ever, and theres no way of having one without the other. Guemica Pablo Picasso Pablo Picassos Guernica Pablo Picassos painting entitled Guernica has been a masterpiece of modern art since its first appearance at the World Fairs Fair of 1937. The huge mural has become an icon of Picassos work and has been interpreted in several unique ways, many of which contradict Picassos actual intentions. Artistically, the composition is balanced and is a characteristic of Picassos work; perfectly planned and flowing. The symbols of this piece despite the misconceptions of its many critics, including those present at the Worlds Fair in the year that the painting was introduced, were clearly defined by Picasso himself. The preliminary sketches of the work began in May of 1937, and was commissioned by the official Republican government of Spain in January of the same year. It was to be displayed in the International Spanish Pavilion at the 1937 International Exhibition, or as it is more popularly known, the Worlds Fair. Picasso was given a large studio in which to conduct his artistic endeavors in partial payment for the work which was being done. .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 , .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .postImageUrl , .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 , .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:hover , .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:visited , .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:active { border:0!important; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:active , .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04 .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u847ef65278dbe872746c1ae4c126cf04:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: The Metamorphosis EssayPicasso went through many artistic periods throughout his career as an artist, one of which was cubism. In a few ways, Guernica, somewhat broke from the traditional cubism which he had a hand in inventing. The painting makes use of a two dimensional picture plain with all of the objects on the canvas appear flat looking as is dictated by the cubism style. The picture plain is not, however, fractured like many of the previous works which were categorized under the same style. Picassos reason for painting Guernica has been disputed by the many art critics of modern art, but perhaps the most accurate summary is the genius himself. Picasso explained that the work was not specifically about the bombing of Guernica, nor was it specifically about the Spanish Civil War which was the culprit in this destructive incident. It was rather a broad statement about human beings fighting amongst themselves, and the chaos which would ensue should such hateful human relationships be allowed to continue as they had in Guernica, Spain. The organization of the piece was carefully planned in the forty-five preliminary sketches, which obviously concentrated on leading the eye thorough the composition. The objects themselves balance each other well to create a peaceful composition. Picasso makes a conscious effort to emphasize the bull, the horse and the woman in the window as each of these images are important to the symbolic aspect of the graphic depiction of the bombing of Guernica. As one looks at the overall movement in the painting, they get a sense of frozen motion unlike what is typical of the futurism style of composition. The idea that everything came to a sudden halt with no time to come to a real rest. The one piece of evidence contrary to this is the soldiers arm which lays peacefully across the ground. The enormous 138 x 308 canvas was painted using only grey scale colors, which is said to be in co-ordination with the ink of the newspapers which often covered the bombings during the civil unrest in Spain. Picasso uses dominantly blacks and whites using value changes in few areas over the picture plain. He uses line extensively, with almost geometric shapes taking form and leading the eye as can be seen in many of his pre-production sketches. Texture is kept to a minimum in the specific work as it is a very two dimensional art work and as is common of the cubism style. He has made extremely good use of space as nearly the entire canvas is used, while maintaining the balance which is necessary to keep the composition aesthetically pleasing. Among the many symbolic images in the work are a bull, a horse a soldier with a broken sword and a woman looking out of a window with a very concerned look on her face. The broken sword in the soldiers hand, which can be seen at the bottom center of the composition was used to symbolize the broken spirits and the failure to resist on the part of the people. The woman is a symbol of concern for the fighting people by people who have succeeded in being able to see the whole picture. The largest contributing factor to Guernicas overall appeal is the excellent use of symbolism which encourages its audience to think. If ever given the opportunity I would be most interested in seeing the original of this work. I have gained a lot of respect for not only the artistic integrity of this painting, but also for Pablo Picasso as an overall intuitive and creative person.

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Mean Girls Essay free essay sample

This movie, Mean Girls, is a very interesting movie that shows that you should always be yourself no matter what people think and no matter what they have to say. A few of the main characters in this movie include Cady Heron, Regina George, Karen Smith, Gretchen Weiners, and Ms. Norbury. All of these characters take part in the high school that the film take place in. The director of this movie is Mark Waters; he is a film director and producer. This movie was published in the year of 2004. This movie contains one type of genre which is the â€Å"Drama† category. This movie runs for approximately 97 minutes. I really enjoyed watching this movie. It is interesting to see how people’s attitudes can change due to one person and a specified reality check. This movie portrays that some of the smallest things can make a big difference within people’s attitudes and personalities. We will write a custom essay sample on Mean Girls Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In 2004, Cady Heron had to leave her homeschooling and start going to public school. Cady was homeschooled all of her life and didn’t know what it was like to go to school with a bunch of teenagers. Cady lived in Africa her entire life, which was where her parents had a working contract. When she first reached high school, in the first couple of days she met Janice and Damian, who were known in the â€Å"Out Crowd† and completely against the â€Å"Plastics†. The â€Å"Plastics† had three beautiful and popular girls in it, the most popular, Regina, Gretchen, and the least popular of the three, Karen. The â€Å"Plastics† attention was automatically brought to Cady when they noticed how pretty and easily-influenced she would be. But Cady, being unsure about them, kept her friends Janice and Damian. Cady eventually ends up becoming close friends with the â€Å"Plastics† so that she can retrieve their darkest secrets and tell them to Janice and Damian. Little does everyone know, Cady soon starts to turn into a â€Å"Plastic†. When Cady falls for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, Aaron, that soon causes a problem between the two girls and makes Regina snap on the rest of the â€Å"Plastics† which leaves Cady in charge. When the story first begins, it takes place in a high school located in Evanston, Illinois, but the film was also shot in Toronto, Ontario. During most of the Evil plans and evil actions that the â€Å"Plastics† do, the camera was zoomed into their face in order to see their expression. This movie has various camera angles that all support what’s going on in the intense and dramatic scenes. Most of the Dolly shots are found at the end of the movie when they show what happens after the Homecoming dance. As they reach the end of the movie, they start narrating. The costume designers did an amazing job. They dressed the actors appropriately according to the year this movie took place in. The lightning during the speech at the dance makes everything seem more sincere and intense. In my opinion, the two main characters in this film are Cady Heron and Regina George. A majority of the film focuses on their relationship. Regina is the leader of the â€Å"Plastics†. Her nasty attitude towards anyone outside of that group is changed when she meets Cady. Regina was first very nice to Cady because she was very easy to influence and didn’t know much about the crowds in high school. As she sees the way Cady is acting and changing, she realizes that they will no longer get along based on how Cady was acting. Cady and Regina became distant and treated each other as if they didn’t exist. Cady is the new-girl in her high school. In the beginning, Cady cares about nobody but herself, but then realizes that she is making friends, and she tries to look out for them. Once Regina and Cady have a talk, Cady realizes that Regina is really just and evil back-stabber and those from the â€Å"Out Crowd† were completely right. Regina and Cady then treat each other as if they’re worthless. All the actors show a great amount of intensity and passion during the film. You can really see the connection that they really started to have, and that made the movie ten times better and even more interesting. Mean Girls relies on the theme; â€Å"Take me as I am, or watch me as I go.† I think it relies on this theme because at first Cady changed the way she was acting around everyone in order to fit in and seem liked, but it only made her look fake. Cady later on learns that if people aren’t willing to accept her for who she is, than they shouldn’t deserve to be in her life. In my opinion, changing who you are in order to fit in is only hurting yourself because you are not able to stay true to yourself. This movie is amazing, I loved it, and the overall point of the movie changed the way I choose to think about people. I learned that if I don’t really show who I am, I will be hurting myself by not being honest and true to myself, which is giving myself the â€Å"short end of the stick† and hiding my true potential. This movie could bring people together and help them focus on someone’s personality instead of what they look like. In my perspective, this movie really does demonstrate loyalty, trust, and respect, which are very important keys to life.

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Activity Based Costing

Activity Based Costing Introduction Activity based costing (ABC) is a widely adopted accounting practice where the cost of making various products and services are based on the companies’ activities (Panda1999, p. 5).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Activity Based Costing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The costs are specifically allocated to products and services according to the level of consumption of each category but comprehensively, it assigns more indirect costs into direct costs (unlike other conventional accounting practices) (Armstrong 2006, p. 363). The major benefit associated with this accounting technique (ABC) is that a company can be able to specifically know which products and services take up most costs and which are overpriced and less profitable so that a required remedy is developed. Activity based costing basically works by allocating the overall resource costs according to the activities commensurate with the m to the final products and services that are produced by a given company (Armstrong 2006, p. 363). In a more general sense, the technique is basically used to understand a company’s profitability in relation to the costs incurred when producing various goods and services. In this regard, it is important to note that activity based costing has been widely adopted by many organization because it aids in decision-making processes that touch on pricing, outsourcing, identification, and the actual benchmarking of the standards of production of goods and services (Panda1999, p. 5). However, in as much as the activity based costing technique has been beneficial to many organizations; many are also finding it very difficult to implement it. This trend has seen a number of organizations in emerging economies face a number of challenges adopting the technique, despite evidence of incredible success of its implementation in other parts of the world existent in many literature excerpts. Significant challenges have been recorded in areas touching on acceptability, augmentation (with other computer systems in the organization), ensuring the system is of value to the company and its environment (among other challenges) (Liu and Pan 2007).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This study will critically analyze the experiences and challenges of such companies in implementing ABC and how many of them have been able to succeed with this process, while others have openly failed. This will be done through an analysis of two companies (XU JI Electrical Company Limited and Global Electronics Inc) operating in emerging markets. XU JI Electrical Company Limited Though activity based costing has been widely adopted in the Western world, there is still increased skepticism among many companies operating in developing economies of its effectiveness. Such is the situa tion observed in China (Liu and Pan 2007). In fact, Hu (2001) explains that the implementation of Activity based costing in China is still at the theoretical level. This situation can be evidenced in the case of XU JI Electrical Company Limited which is based in China. The company is basically an electronics company that manufactures electronic goods used in the development of public infrastructures like rail. Activity based costing technique was introduced in the company in the year 2001 when there was a strong need to devise methods on how to tackle increased competition in the industry and to employ more efficient accounting techniques for better performance. The initial system was particularly based on the labor-hour absorption rate where costs were allocated across production lines. This system was largely inefficient because it inhibited the company from pursuing competitive pricing strategies. Activity based costing was therefore introduced in the early months of the year 200 9 under the First product department where the main objective for implementing the costing technique was to establish accurate product costing information for purposes of cost control (Liu and Pan 2007). In the implementation of the activity based costing technique, the services of an implementation team was sought, where their primary mandate was to train the existing employees on how to use the system and to build an ABC conceptual model. The latter task was effectively carried out, except for the general administrative and finance expenditures which contributed an overwhelming expenditure of approximately 77% of the entire cost budget. Due to the fact that there was an increased organization structure inhibition, the implementation team decided to develop the ABC conceptual model on the number of employees evidenced in each given activity (as a temporary measure) (Liu and Pan 2007).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Activity Based Costing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More From this analysis, we can see that the company’s operations in China’s fast-paced business environment posed a challenge in the overall implementation of the ABC model because it was difficult to maintain it on an up-to-date level. In fact, similar research studies point out that many more companies face the same challenges especially in identifying a good cost driver for the application of ABC because some of these cost drivers become obsolete after a given period of time (Liu and Pan 2007). Liu and Pan (2007) further explain that the same situation has been evidenced in a number of Western economies where many companies have had to abandon their ABC implementation processes because of the volatility of the economy. After basing the model on the number of employees, the Activity based costing model had to be computerized where a specific Chinese software was identified for this purpose. However, during the imp lementation process, the lack of experience in dealing with such software augmentation led the company into significant conceptual errors that almost grounded the activities of Activity Based Costing implementation process. The company therefore had to seek the guidance of the activity based costing implementation team manager to asses the situation and provide possible remedies. The team manager did so, and after determining the company’s rationale, the project went on smoothly. The company was therefore able to produce monthly Activity based costing reports but there was a significant challenge in augmenting the ABC software with other computer softwares that were in existence before it. From this analysis, we can see that there is a strong need for technical expertise in the product implementation stage of ABC implementation to tackle functionality and compatibility issues. This fact is also supported by Baker (1998, p. 257) who affirms that the input of technical expertis e is vital in the overall successful implementation of ABC. The technical expertise evidenced in the above scenario was characteristic of the team manager’s input in salvaging the situation (ABC implementation). As regards functionality and compatibility issues, it should be understood that the incompatibility of the ABC system and other computer systems was likely to pose a problem for other staff members in the organization (like in the warehouse division or the finance department) because there normally are instances of increased workloads where the officers have to double-check data added by the frontline managers into the ABC system.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In making the employees and staff receptive to the new ABC system, XU JI Electrical Company Limited decided to adopt the formal feedback session technique (Liu and Pan 2007). This technique was successfully used to show employees the benefits of the system; a process which ultimately led to a lot of satisfaction among the company staff. However, some sense of resentment was observed from the front-line managers who pointed out the demanding nature of inputting data into the system as their biggest cause of concern regarding the system. Nonetheless, after subsequent meetings, there was a growing level of understanding among the managers. A link between ABC implementation and performance measures was identified to be the biggest cause for concern when analyzed in terms of future implementation considerations of the project which was considered to be a future agenda for discussion. From this analysis, we can see that the inclusion of the bottom-level and top-level employees in the impl ementation process was critical to the acceptance of the costing technique. Though there were significant objections coming from front-line managers, there were subsequent discussions aimed at seeking employee buy-in that brought the managers onboard. This analysis shows that constant communication between all stakeholders in the organization is likely to improve the probability that changes will be accommodated in the organization. Global Electronics Inc Global electronics Inc is a company specialized in making power semiconductors for signal processing and power control applications and many of its products are also used in braking antilock systems, airbag systems, computer keyboards, modems and the likes. During the end of the year 1999, the company had experienced a significant dip in sales that caused a lot of tension within the company (as regards the long-term prospects of the company’s sustainability) (Juras 2003, p. 1). To remedy this situation, the company decided t o employ the activity based costing system to uphold the company’s efficiency. In a general sense, the company experienced significant success in implementing the ABC system because its new manager, Chris Richards, had a good background in ABC. This was the first step that could be learnt from the company’s experience in implementing ABC because the company’s new manager brought a lot of technical expertise that could be used in implementing the ABC model. In a more general sense, this analysis shows that importing beneficial technical expertise is a positive move towards ensuring smooth implementation of ABC. It is also important to note that having someone with a significant experience about the implementation of ABC, spearheading the process, is also a good move for the company. It was also observed that the education about the new model (ABC) and the task of wrapping management’s thoughts around the new model was still attributed to him (Chris Richard s, the new manager). Basically, management’s buy-in could be attributed to his influence. This analysis is important to organizations that experience problems getting management to adopt to new changes in the organization. More essentially, it is important to note that having someone with considerable experience regarding ABC, in the managerial team is a plus towards getting the overall managerial team to accept changes in the organization. Another reason for the smooth implementation of the model was attributed to the company’s operating capacity. The company‘s director of manufacturing (cited in Juras 2003, p. 2) affirmed that: â€Å"The number one thing we had going for us was an urgency factor. I truly believe people would not have given us the time of day with respect to ABC if we were making 10 percent return on sales. Having operating losses of $100 million causes people to listen†. Moreover, in successfully implementing the ABC model, a steering co mmittee which encompassed most members of all the company’s departments was quickly formed. The members came from finance committees, product engineering, operations management, and other functional teams of the organization, but extra assistance was also sought from external organizations to enable the company effectively implement the ABC model (Juras 2003, p. 2). The move to include members from various departments of the organization ensured that the steering committee was holistic, in terms of member contribution because all the departmental members represented most functional areas of the organization. It is also important to note the input of the steering committee in the implementation of the ABC model because it played a vital role in the entire process. The steering committee basically went ahead to define the tasks of each company plant department, assign the resource costs to the specific activities, and determine the activity drivers, among other technical areas of the ABC implementation model (it is important to note that all functional managers of the organization gave support to the steering committee) (Juras 2003, p. 1). From this analysis, we can see that having a steering committee was quite vital to the successful implementation of the ABC model, considering the above tasks are key in the design stage of implementing the ABC model (Salvendy 2001, p. 2319). It is therefore vital for organizations that have a problem going past the design stage of the ABC model to have a steering committee that specializes on moderating the tasks to be covered at this stage. It was also confirmed by Global Electronics’ manager that setting short-term goals during the implementation of the ABC model was essential in ensuring the process implementation process was smooth (Juras 2003, p. 3). The short-term goals set for the implementation of the ABC model was meant to improve the product cost accuracy and optimize the company’s product mix. A long-term objective was also established, and it was meant to transit the company into a long-term activity based costing management criterion. This is also another pointer that can be borrowed by organizations which have a problem implementing the ABC model because quite a number fail to understand the short-term and long-term goals of implementing ABC in the first place. Having clearly set short-term and long-term goals is therefore vital to the overall implementation of the ABC model because it steers the organization into the right direction during implementation. Integrating the new ABC model with other existent systems was also a tricky affair for the company, but it successfully managed to undertake the ABC model in an offline manner where the system was managed separately from the previously existing labor-based standard costing system. In the same manner, the new model was also managed separately from the financial reporting system. However, it was quite tricky for the co mpany to maintain the offline system because there were issues of employee behavior, and other issues arising from previous negative experiences learnt from the PUC process that the company engaged in. Part of this problem was summarized by Juras (2003) that: â€Å"The problem with a non integrated approach, even though it is certainly a lot simpler and less risky, is how do you affect behavior?For example, you cant run the marketing organization based upon achieving some desired gross margin when they are relying upon bogus costs to push the stuff that you dont want them to be pushing.But, how do you motivate these people to go after the right set of products if youve got a bunch of accountants sitting over here who have knowledge derived from some offline system that nobody else is aware of?† (p. 3). This experience showed that despite the fact that the company had a remedy to solve the problem of implementing the ABC model; it still experienced significant challenges in su staining the strategy for long. The biggest cause for this problem can be attributed to the fact that the organization failed to include the behavioral aspect of implementing this strategy. From this analysis therefore, we can observe that the failure to include the behavioral considerations of implementing the ABC model in the organization can eventually render the whole strategy useless. Comprehensively, the ABC implementation process went on as planned and fell within a nine-month schedule, but this smooth transition could be attributed to including activities within the cost model that bore a strong influence to strategic product pricing and mix decisions (Juras 2003, p. 3). The inclusion of a centralized project team also contributed a lot to the coordination of activities that were done in the implementation process. This team was quite crucial in ensuring a sense of consistency was observed within all plants. It is also identified that the top-bottom approach of implementing the ABC model was deemed appropriate because such a model was basically aimed at making lower-level employees understand the benefits of the ABC model. Moreover, it was identified that the ABC model was essentially hatched at the company’s headquarters and it was the duty of management to push the idea down to lower-level managers and employees (regardless of their personal decisions) (Juras 2003, p. 3). Interestingly, the move by the company’s project team to educate the plant manager was criticized by the company’s manager as ineffective because of the assertion that: â€Å"When we went to the plants to do training, it was like a whirlwind tour; we just showed them some charts and said, now sit down and we are going to ask you some questions.I dont think we put ourselves in our internal customers shoes. We paid very little attention to their constructive concerns or their need to truly understand ABC†. Conclusion This study points out the challenges and successes of implementing ABC by two companies operating in emerging markets. Comprehensively, we see that firms in emerging markets have a significant problem in accepting ABC because it is not a previously implemented model. Having a steering committee and seeking the services of an external agency (with a significant experience in ABC implementation) is a good strategy to making existing managerial teams accept changes. We have also seen that there is a significant challenge experienced by the companies in augmenting ABC with previously existing computer applications, and comprehensively, we see that seeking technical expertise in doing so is a good move towards ensuring there is a smooth transition into ABC, without causing any operational hitches. Also, we see that having clearly set goals is an important tool to steer the implementation of the ABC model in the right direction. This observation is critical, in the sense that, many organizations have been identified to abandon ABC implementation because they do not have a clear understanding of the importance of implementing the ABC model in the first place. In a general sense, we can see that adopting a top-bottom implementation strategy is also important in ensuring the ABC mode is implemented effectively. Burke (2006) affirms this fact and implies that the top-bottom implementation strategy is important because the decision to implement an ABC model is normally undertaken at the company’s headquarters and many organizations expect managers to ensure employee buy-in, to make the transition a success. Conclusively, we can say that organizations operating in emerging markets experience challenges of transitioning from old accounting models to ABC and therefore, tactical strategies need to be adopted to ensure there is a smooth transition from old accounting models into new models. References Armstrong, M. (2006) A Handbook Of Management Techniques: A Comprehensive  Guide To Achieving Managerial E xcellence And Improved Decision Making. London, Kogan Page Publishers. Baker, J. (1998) Activity-Based Costing and Activity-Based Management for Health  Care. London, Jones Bartlett Learning. Burke, L. (2006) CIMA Learning System 2007 Management Accounting Decision  Management. London, Butterworth-Heinemann. Hu, Y.M. (2001) The spontaneous formation and development of ABC, ABM in Chinese Organization. Accounting Research (China), 3, 33–38. Juras, E. (2003) Global Electronics, Inc.: ABC Implementation and the Change  Management Process. (Online) Web. Liu, L.Y.J. and Pan, F. (2007) The implementation of Activity Based Costing in China: An innovation action research approach. The British Accounting Review, 39, 249 264. Panda, N. (1999) Activity Based Costing For Indian Industries. New Delhi, Mittal Publications. Salvendy, G. (2001) Handbook of Industrial Engineering: Technology and Operations  Management. London, Wiley-IEEE.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Analysis Of Influence Factors Social Policy Essay Example

Analysis Of Influence Factors Social Policy Essay Example Analysis Of Influence Factors Social Policy Essay Analysis Of Influence Factors Social Policy Essay As for a good authorities, the valuable public policy, which refers to the authorities action or inactivity to cover with peculiar issues, can be regarded as one of the rating standards. Therefore, it seems that the procedure of policy devising, turning the authorities political vision into the existent plans and actions in the existent universe ( Cabinet Office, 1999 ) , becomes important which should be put on much more accent. Particularly, good quality policy doing depends on high quality information, derived from a assortment of sources-expert cognition ; bing domestic and international research ; bing statistics ; stakeholder audience ; rating of old policies and new research ( Cabinet Office, 1999 ) . The high quality information here chiefly refers to grounds which becomes more and more of import portion for the policy devising. Even more, the increasing usage of assorted sorts of grounds by authorities has determined the cardinal function of grounds in policy devising for twenty-first century. The term evidence-based policymaking of course comes up at the same clip. Actually, the rise function of grounds in policy devising does hold its ain grounds. As the development of modern society, the growing of knowing and intelligent public cast their involvement to the exact information provided by the authorities and inquire why. Therefore in certain distance, it facilitates the authorities to research the precise informations of all types with the aid of developed information engineering ( Davies, Nutley and Smith, 2000 ) . What s more, an increasing demand on answerability in authorities goads on the significance of grounds in a democratic society. Due to the above grounds, in UK the Blair Government, who was elected on the footing of What matters is what works , announced that to bring forth policies that truly cover with jobs, that are advanced and shaped by grounds instead than a response to short-run force per unit area, that tackles causes ; non symptoms ( Modernizing Government, 1999 White Paper ) , and demonstrated that it was a good clip for the new authorities to get down grounds based- attack to public policy ( Gary Banks AO, 2009 ) , At the same clip, they built a new relationship between societal scientific discipline and authorities every bit good as pointed out that public policy had to be driven by grounds. So, what precisely does grounds mean? UK Cabinet office defines it as analysis of the result of audience, costings of policy options and the consequences of economic or statistical mold ( Cabinet Office, 1999 ) Harmonizing to Chambers Dictionary, grounds consists of consequences of systematic probe towards increasing the amount of cognition ( Davies, Nutley and Smith, 2000 ) . Both two definitions can be divided into four sorts functioning for policy devising: descriptive informations, analytic findings, appraising grounds, and policy analytic prognosiss ( Carol Hirschon Weiss, 2001 ) . Descriptive information is a tool to demo objects status, location, relation and way of alteration. See, for case, before the Hong Kong Government introduced the environmental levy strategy on plastic shopping bags, sum of informations are collected to demo the increasing danger brought by the plastic bags. 3-the mean figure of plastic bags is used by Hong Kong people per twenty-four hours. 13, 503-the figure of dozenss of solid waste is disposed of at landfills per twenty-four hours ( EPD Hong Kong, 2009 ) . 20 to 1000-the old ages are needed to break up the plastic bag. From the exact informations, authorities could clearly see the negative environmental affect caused by the plastic bag. Thus, authorities s policy is made on the footing of big and comprehensive informations. The 2nd sort is analytic findings which refer to the identified information conducted by an academic research and analysis system, detecting the relationship between factors and current state of affairss ( Carol Hirschon Weiss, 2001 ) . Besides in the same policy-the environmental levy strategy on plastic shopping bags, after academic analysis, we can reason that the low environmental consciousness of public endangers the state of affairs of indiscriminate usage of plastic bags. The analytic findings are the way for seeking positive solutions in the procedure of policy devising. Evaluation serves for straight analyzing the bing policies in other states or topographic points, and so selectively taking for ain usage. Taiwan, as one of the innovators in environmental protection, provides valuable experience for the Hong Kong Government ordaining the plastic bag levy strategy. After measuring positive and negative sides of Taiwan s Restricted Use Policy on Plastic Shopping Bags and Disposable Plastic Tableware ( Our Group s Essay on Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags, 2009 ) , the HK Government adopts the same policy of restricted usage of plastic shopping bags while temporarily abandons the unavailable policy on plastic tableware. The last one is policy analytic prognosiss. In common state of affairss, analyst will cipher and foretell the possible cost and benefits of the coming policy. The study of anticipation will act upon the concluding release of the new policy ( Carol Hirschon Weiss, 2001 ) . In short, these four sorts of grounds are used as the footing of the authorities policy devising. However, no affair how of import grounds is, in the procedure of policy devising, its nature has several restrictions and troubles. Harmonizing to Gary Banks research on evidence-based policy devising, methodology the authorities choose, informations lack or overload, grounds transparence, people who research and analyze grounds, and the limited clip to make the information aggregation are all the possible factors to act upon the effectivity of grounds used in policy devising ( Gary Banks AO, 2009 ) . Sometimes, quantitative informations could be collected, but that does non intend they are the existent valuable informations needed. The addition usage of plastic shopping bags has no necessary correlativity with the heavy air pollution job. Therefore, the grounds for air pollution should straight from auto emanation, industrial emanation, waste deposition, etc. Peoples with diverse political value or involvement could be non loath to accept the grounds which obeys their involvement. What s more, even for the policy shapers, they would wish to put the manner of policy foremost and so look for verification grounds. In this sense, grounds merely can be regarded as one of the important factors in policy devising. It will be much more appropriate to name that evidence-influenced policy devising ( H.K. Wong s talk note ) . In add-on, other three chief factors-political, economic and societal factors, besides have a intensive power to impact the complex procedure of policy devising. Politicss here concerns with political system and crisis. On one manus, as we know, the stable political system determines the usual manner of the authorities policy doing. From the first beginning of policy proposal to the audience and to the concluding policy devising, every measure complies with a certain regulate with minor alteration. Furthermore, the same as the steady political system, political political orientation and beliefs besides become the major elements to coerce the policy made ( Philip Davies, 2004 ) . On the other manus, crisis detonation becomes the direct primacord to press the authorities to ordain and implement a new policy in the immediate clip. After the detonation of the planetary fiscal crisis, one time the economic state of affairs in Hong Kong got worse quickly, and the Hong Kong Government carried out series of policy to excite the recovery and development of economic system. In the 2009-2010 Budget, the authorities introduced several steps to guarantee the stableness of fiscal establishments and the market to bolster public assurance in our fiscal systems , including the proviso of liquidness aid to the banking system and the constitution of a Contingent Bank Capital Facility ( The 2009-2010 Budget of Hong Kong ) . Meanwhile, in order to diminish the unemployment rate caused by the fiscal crisis, the Hong Kong Government besides sustained the proviso of more than 60000 employment opportunities, increased the enlisting of civil retainers, and closely cooperated with Guangdong Province to make more occupations ( The 2009-2010 Budget of Hong Kong ) . Therefore, it seems that in some certain state of affairss, political factors are more available than grounds which needs clip to roll up and analyse. The economic system is frequently closely connected with the political relations. The long-standing development of economic system should establish on valuable policies. In every twelvemonth s policy reference, economic policy is the most of import 1. Harmonizing to the specific economic state of affairss, the authorities have emphasised their policy on different facets. For case, when the Hong Kong market was to a great extent hit by the fiscal tsunami, the policy accent are placed on how to get by with it and how to retrieve this twelvemonth. This is why the authorities make great attempt to stabilise the fiscal system, support endeavors and continue employment ( 2009-2010 Policy Address ) . Comparing to the old twelvemonth, there was no fiscal tsunami s striking, the Hong Kong Government focused more on 10 large-scale Infrastructure Projects which aimed to better Hong Kong s transit and associate up socio-cultural and concern activities with more efficient transit systems ( 20 07-2008 Policy Address ) . When speaking about economic factors, we should detect that every policy is restricted within the authorities finance. As we know, if the budget of a policy is mostly beyond the authorities s fiscal endurance after exact computation and the cost effectiveness/efficiency system, the policy will be cut off. Social factors here include experience and opinion of policy shapers, wont and tradition, force per unit area groups and advisers ( Philip Davies, 2004 ) . Normally, the experience and opinion of policy shapers are cherished decision on the footing on the old policy success or failure, incarnating rational capital and tacit cognition ( Philip Davies, 2004 ) . They are see as an influence factor. Actually, the usage of experience and opinion frequently appears in the status where the grounds is uncomplete or non-existent ( Grimshaw, et Al, 2003 ) . It can be regarded as a complement for grounds in the procedure of policy devising. Habit and tradition constitutes another societal factor impacting policy devising. Some establishments stagnate due to the unchanging wont and tradition. They refuse to do and implement new policy to excite the development of themselves. To a certain extent, Changing traditional and accustomed ways of making things to suit the forces of reason and modernnes s presents a major challenge for policy devising ( Philip Davies, 2004 ) . The last societal factor-pressure groups and advisers, progressively act upon the policy devising in the current yearss. The fast development of think armored combat vehicles in society, they have already profoundly penetrated into the political relations. Particularly when a policy contradicts with think-tanks and force per unit area groups involvement, their sentiments are powerful plenty to impact the policy devising. In a word, all the above factors come together to act upon the procedure of policy devising. Evidence, political, economic and societal factors supplement with each other, fixing for the to the full consideration of policy devising. However, factors come together here does non intend that every factor should go one necessary portion in a policy. In most conditions, there are merely two or three factors influence the policy devising. Now, I will analyse how these factors come together to impact policy doing within one instance. Small Class Teaching in Hong Kong is a typical instance which could turn out many elements come together to influence policy devising. As the development of modern knowledge-based society, more and more demands are raised on instruction system and method. Particularly, for the comprehensive development of younger coevals, it is normally supposed that little category with smaller figure of pupils per category is much more helpful than the normal big category in primary and secondary school. As for the instructors in little category, they could cut down their heavy work load, pay more attending to every single pupil and so learn pupils harmonizing to their ability. For the pupil, in little category they would hold more chances to pass on with instructors and schoolmates, participant in category activities and acquire more immediate feedback of their ain survey from instructors ( Group 2 s Essay on Small Class Teaching ) . Since July 1998, an unwritten inquiry on category size in primary and secondary schools was foremost raised by Hon Cheung Man-kwong in the Legislative Council. Till 2007, the Chief Executive eventually announced that the little category instruction would be launch in 2009/10 school twelvemonth in his 2007-2008 Policy Address. During the long period of policy devising, in order to roll up more resource every bit good as sing some contention issues concerned with the little category instruction, the authorities conducted a pilot survey in primary school with effectiveness schemes of category and group instruction in 2003/04 school twelvemonth and another strategy in primary schools with high concentration of disadvantaged students with consequence from 2005/06 school twelvemonth. During the survey, sum of feedback and quantitative informations have been collected from instructors and pupils through the manner of questionnaire. Qualitative information, carefully analyzed through syste matic lesson observations and instance surveies, acquire a decision that schools and instructors have non truly benefited a batch from the little category instruction ( Group 2 s essay on Small Class Teaching ) . Even though the concluding consequence of the survey has non been released to the populace, from the facet of grounds , it can be regarded as a good manner to get down. In add-on, the rating and experience-learning on the footing of abroad experience is besides a sort of grounds. The United State is a successful illustration on the execution of little category instruction, who conducts specific cost-effectiveness analysis and to the full considers the allotment of financess, the mark popularity, the category size and so on ( Group 2 s essay on Small Class Teaching ) . From the facet of societal factors, most of academic and parents representatives concurred with the policy of little category learning with the grounds that instructors should be professionally trained and care more about single pupil s demand. Furthermore, political parties such as Democratic Party and Liberal Party, besides agreed with the execution of this policy. Therefore, a great major of stakeholders were consentaneous the execution of little category learning which they believed pupils and instructors would profit a batch from it. In this sense, the strong sentiments for stakeholders have a certain impact on the whole policy procedure. From the facet of political factors, in 2002, the Consolidating High Cost and Under-utilized Primary Schools policy was introduced by Education and Manpower Bureau, taking to a threaten to sum of instructors occupations. Thousands of instructors hold a March and protested against the policy in July 2003 ( SING TAO, 2003 ) . This political force per unit area became one component to act upon the devising of little category instruction policy. Originally, the Hong Kong Government attempted to pattern evidence-based policy devising by carry oning the pilot survey, measuring and analysing the research every bit good as larning from abroad experience. However, political and societal factors partly become the elements of impacting the policy devising. Thus, grounds in this instance is still the most of import factor and the policy of little category instruction could be called evidence-influenced policy. To reason, in the complex procedure of policy devising, grounds every bit good as the political, economic and societal factors constitutes the influence elements. On one manus, Evidence, by agencies of descriptive informations, analytic findings, appraising grounds, and policy analytic prognosiss, occupies the most important place in policy devising. On the other manus, to some extent, the restrictions and troubles of grounds restrict the policy s formation. It leads to the evidence-influenced policy , alternatively of evidence-based policy . Yet, the being of the political, economic and societal factors makes up the restriction of grounds in a certain distance. They all serve for the whole policy procedure. Mention Cabinet Office, 1999, Professional Policy-Making for the Twenty-first Century, Strategic Policy Making Team, London, Cabinet Office. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.civilservant.org.uk/profpolicymaking.pdf ( accessed on 18 November, 2009 ) Cabinet Office, 1999a, Modernizing Government, White Paper, London, Cabinet Office. Carmen, Fiona, Helen, Gloria, Selin and Yvonne, November 2009, Group Paper: Environmental Levy Scheme on Plastic Shopping Bags Carol Hirschon Weiss, 2001, What Kind of Evidence in Evidence-Based Policy? Third International, Inter-disciplinary Evidence-Based Policies and Indicator Systems Conference, July 2001 hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cemcentre.org/Documents/CEM % 20Extra/EBE/EBE2001/P284-291 % 20Carol % 20Weiss.pdf ( accessed on 19 November, 2009 ) Chau Kam Yan, Hon Heung-Kwan, Kung Tin Ho, Leung Lok-Sum, So Tsit, October 2009, Group Essay on Small Class Teaching Donald Tsang, 2007, Policy Address 2007-2008: A New Direction for Hong Kong, policyaddress.gov.hk, hypertext transfer protocol: //www.policyaddress.gov.hk/07-08/eng/agenda.html ( accessed on 20 November, 2009 ) Donald Tsang, 2009, Policy Address 2009-2010: Interrupting New Ground Together, policyaddress.gov.hk, hypertext transfer protocol: //www.policyaddress.gov.hk/09-10/eng/index.html ( accessed on 20 November, 2009 ) Environmental Protection Department Hong Kong, 2009. Environmental Levy on Plastic Shopping Bags. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/prob_solutions/env_levy.html ( accessed on 3 November, 2009 ) Gary Banks AO, 2009, Challenges of Evidence-Based Policy-Making, Australia Public Service Commission, hypertext transfer protocol: //www.apsc.gov.au/publications09/evidencebasedpolicy.htm ( accessed on 19 November, 2009 ) Grimshaw, J.M. , Thomas, R.E. , MacLennan, G. , Fraser, C. , and Ramsay, C.R. , 2003, Effectiveness and Efficiency of Guideline Dissemination and Implementation Strategies, Final Report, Aberdeen, Health Services Research Unit. H.K. Wong, 2009, Lecture Note 3: The Rhetorics and Reality of EBPM Hum Davies, Sandra Nutley and Peter Smith, 2000, Introducing Evidence-Based Policy and Practice in Public Services, In What Works? Evidence Based Policy and Practice in the Public Services, Chapter One, 1-11, Bristol: Policy Imperativeness John Tsang Chun-wah, 2009, the 2009-2010 Budget, hypertext transfer protocol: //www.budget.gov.hk/2009/eng/speech.html ( accessed on 19 November, 2009 ) Philip Davies, 2004, Is Evidence-Based Government Possible? To be presented at the 4th Annual Campbell Collaboration Colloquium, Washington D.C. , 19 February 2004 hypertext transfer protocol: //www.nationalschool.gov.uk/policyhub/downloads/JerryLeeLecture1202041.pdf ( accessed on 20 November, 2009 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.singtao.com/archive/fullstory.asp? andor=or A ; year1=2003 A ; month1=07 A ; day1=21 A ; year2=2003 A ; month2=07 A ; day2=21 A ; category=all A ; id=20030721a01 A ; keyword1= A ; keyword2= ( accessed on 20 November, 2009 )

Thursday, November 21, 2019

International Human Resource Management Assignment

International Human Resource Management - Assignment Example The researcher states that the second way in which the manager can cope up with the pain of employees laid off is to smoothen the effects of lay off for the managers or company to do their best and find out those leaving the company for a new job. This includes calling the candidate before hiring, help them a get better job opportunities in the market. The company should bear all expenses related to the career counseling of the people. In this context, a company can provide on-site training for good resume writing and offer an interview session for the employees. The company should bear all the expenses in the hope of better prospects and greater loyalty from their existing employees. The third way to help layoff employee is to offer psychological counseling to the managers or company according to the psychologists, â€Å" losing the job is similar to losing someone very close to you†. Lots of psychologists and employment consultants have said that people who have lost their j obs in their youth face a critical situation, which creates critical mental trauma. The psychologists have stated that in recent days terminated people are going through a wave of emotions and they easily convert these emotions into mental shocks, depression, bargaining, denial to anger, and finally acceptance. Majority of the job counselor says that the key to overcoming a job layoff problem is not only strengthening the emotions but also understanding how to deal with the after-effects of termination on the terminated and existing employees. Dismissing an employee is a very difficult job for a manager and has to be done very carefully. Dismissal meetings that are poorly managed can break the trust and loyalty of the employees for the organization. Just as any management task, the dismissal meetings also need to be done well and in a legitimate way (Haq and Yarbrough, 2006). An employee can be terminated due to several reasons, including legality, redundancy and some substantive is sues related to the job.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Evaluation of Apple Incs decision about launched product Apple Pay, Essay

Evaluation of Apple Incs decision about launched product Apple Pay, based on your analysis of the external environment (PEST factors and competition) and of the market - Essay Example However, companies such as Apple are helping to make that dream turn into reality. The growth in mobile commerce is seen to be quick with more of smart phone users. The current paper aims to analyze the mobile payments industry of the U.S emphasising upon its trends, growth rates, environmental factors and competition aspects. Apple Pay is a mobile payments solutions product developed by Apple Inc. The system allows the users of iPhone 5, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, iPad mini3, iPad Air 2 and Apple Watch to make direct payments. The service was launched on October 20, 2014 in the U.S. The system currently exists only in the U.S, with the company’s plans of expanding the same into other nations in the near future (Apple Inc., 2014). The contactless payment system enables users to pay for different types of purchases in a safe and a highly secure manner. The solutions payment systems are a part of the electronic payments industry. The purpose of service providers in this industry is to develop an easy method of transacting business and transferring money without having to carry or use cards every time a purchase in made. Users can store their banking information in their mobiles in a secure way and can use the same whenever purchases are made. When consumers store their debit or credit card information in their iPhones, Apple generates a unique encrypted code called the device account numbers. These codes get saved within the mobile chip and is never accessed or stored in the Apple servers. Whenever any transaction is made, these device account numbers along with transaction specific security code is used. In this manner the actual debit or credit card information is not used by Apple for transmitting the payment (Heggestuen, J., 2014). The mobile payments and online payment solutions industry is seen to have grown rapidly in the last few years in the U.S. The industry is seen to be in its booming phase with new types of

Sunday, November 17, 2019

What caused the French revolution Research Paper

What caused the French revolution - Research Paper Example On the other hand, â€Å"the nobility were exempt from taxation; the clergy were entitled to the privilege of taxing themselves, in the form of free gifts†¦ [and all these were for the] benefit of the privileged classes, and to the detriment of the people† (Mignet 4). Such prevailing conditions, which did not change for many generations, created a deep-rooted resentment in the minds of the common people. On 14th July 1789, few people from the working classes and a handful of soldiers took control of the famous prison of Bastille in Paris, which soon changed the entire history of France. A number of underlying factors triggered the seizing of Bastille, of which the chief ones were, persistently increasing taxes (the economic factor), the Old Regime (the social factor), and to a certain extent philosophical inspiration from Enlightenment theories and the American Revolution. However, the more apparent and immediate reasons that triggered the revolution were increasing price s of food items (bread), removal of third estate from the meeting hall and Louis XVI’s ordering of Swiss guards into Paris. Here the most important factors were the economic and social causes related to the Old Regime. France at that time was socially categorized into three different estates. The first estate comprised of high-ranking religious leaders or clergymen, who had the privilege of paying no taxes to the monarchic government. The second estate comprised of nobility that were primarily landowners and paid no direct taxes. The third estate, which comprised of the rest of the population (the urban middle class, the urban lower class, and the farmers), paid all the taxes. Thus, the ones that had the least, paid the maximum taxes (royal taxes, feudal taxes, and even work related taxes) and through this process lost almost half of what they earned as wages (Frey and Frey 2). During this time, France suffered a series of defeats against Britain in various battles, which pla ced a huge burden of debt on France. It caused a fall in public morale and increasing social unrest owing to the increasing economic pressure on the common people (pressure to increase the revenue to service the debt). The third estate that was already paying high taxes was further burdened with more, and with the second estate refusing to pay any form of taxes, the situation turned worse. With expenditure being more than the revenue, King Louis XVI decided to hold all reforms and did nothing to improve the worsening situation (Frey and Frey 3). Another factor that triggered the French revolution was the American Revolution, which showed how absolute monarchy could be overthrown and democracy established. The third important factor was the various philosophical teachings and writings of this era (the era of Enlightenment), such as, writings of John Locke, a philosopher whose works advocated freedom from persecution. An increasing number of French citizens became influenced by notion s of natural rights (humanitarianism, fraternity, liberty, and equality) and the rather ambiguous notions of State based Contract theory, as conceptualized by  Turgot, Diderot, Voltaire, other  social scientists and philosophers of  the Enlightenment era (Peyre, 63-65). The  American Revolution  showed that it was actually possible to use Enlightenment theories to make a government function effectively (Mackey, 57). Some of the American revolutionary leaders, such as,  Benjamin Franklin  had spent a great deal of time in Paris and mixed liberally with the intellectual society in France. Besides this, long-term contact between French army and American revoluti

Friday, November 15, 2019

UK Migrant Workers: History and Policies

UK Migrant Workers: History and Policies Introduction There has been a large increase in the number of migrant workers in the UK in recent years (McKay, Craw Chopra, 2006). These increases have been spurred on by globalisation, the gaps opening in the UK labour market and legislative changes that provide many and varied methods for coming to the UK. While many migrant workers move into highly skilled jobs, there are also a significant number who carry out low-paid, low-skilled jobs in the UK. The pay and conditions in these jobs has become the focus of much interest, especially in the wake of the shocking deaths of 23 migrant workers harvesting cockles at Morecambe Bay. This essay, therefore, critically examines the history of migration and current policies, the ways in which migrant workers have been exploited, health and safety risks they face and legal protections that have been put in place. History of migration and migration policies The history of migration into and out of the UK is well established (Sriskandarajah Drew, 2006). In the past the result of this movement has been that people have generally left the country: usually heading for Australia, New Zealand Canada. Then, more recently, people increasingly moved out of the UK to Spain and France. It wasnt until the 1980s that the UK became a country which had a net influx of migrants (Sriskandarajah, Cooley Kornblatt, 2007). Net immigration reached its highpoint in the UK in 2004 at 222,600; a year later it fell back by around 40,000. There were a number of actors that caused this change. Dobson et al. (2001) explain that one reason for this change to net immigration was that the highly skilled could command better wages and obtain an improved lifestyle in the UK. In addition there was also a large increase in the number of asylum applications at this time (Home Office 2006). Further, with the addition of new member states to the EU, there was increasing m igration with 605,375 people successfully registering to work in the UK from these new member states (Home Office, 2007). Despite the net immigration to the UK, many do not intend to stay permanently. Spencer, Ruhs, Anderson and Rogaly (2007) found that only one-quarter of those immigrating from East and Central Europe intended to stay permanently. Others again, can be considered irregular migrants. These are people who have come to the UK without the correct authority. Pinkerton, McLaughlan and Salt (2004) estimate there could have been as many as 430,000 illegal immigrants in the UK in 2001. This number has been questioned, however, by Dorling (2007) who suggests this figure might incorrectly include US military personnel stationed here, and others, thereby artificially inflating the numbers. Whatever the true level of migrants in the UK, both legal and illegal, there have been clear changes in immigration policies over the last few decades. Laws regarding migration into the UK have also changed rapidly and a large variety of different ways of entering the UK have been developed (Dench, Hurstfield, Hill Akroyd, 2006). A recent Home Office report finds that there about 50 different methods for people migrating to the UK for both work and study (Home Office, 2005). Five schemes are identified as particularly important by Dench et al. (2006). The first of these is the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS). This was introduced to allow workers living outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to work in the UK carrying out seasonal work in the agricultural industry. Under this scheme 16,250 people each year who are over the age of 18 and in full-time education are allowed to enter the UK for a period of six months to carry out mainly unskilled work. This includes picking and packing of crops and the handling of livestock. The regulations allow that workers may move employers in that period to take into account the variability in the harvest. Workers are supposed to be paid the minimum wage and provide accommodation, for which they are allowed to charge  £27 a week. A second scheme is the Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) which applies to people from the eight Accession States (those that have just joined the EU). In order to prevent mass immigration and the immediate claiming of benefits, workers moving to the UK are required to register, and only once they have worked without a break for 12 months are they entitled to full benefits and other rights. A third scheme is the Sectors Based Scheme (SBS) which is designed to allow workers to enter the UK to do a casual or short-term job. This only applies to two particular sectors: food manufacturing and hospitality although it has since been withdrawn from hospitality because of abuse (Home Office, 2005). A third scheme is the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) which is designed to allow highly skilled workers to enter the UK. The Home Office (2005) report states that many migrants entering the UK under this scheme are doctors or are working in the area of health. A fifth category, and the large st method of entry, is through business and commercial work permits. Broadly, this allows companies to recruit from outside the UK if they are unable to fill a position with a UK national, or it allows them to move individuals between countries within the same company. Motives for migration At the highest level of analysis one of the main reasons for immigration is globalisation. Globalisation refers to a number of forces which includes the increased connections between knowledge centres, easier access to communications, easier and cheaper travel and an increased flow of labour (Somerville, 2007). Generally, then, there is much greater integration across large economic areas such as Europe. It has been argued that one of the defining signs of globalisation is immigration (Castles Miller, 2003). Somerville (2007) argues, therefore, that one of the major factors at the heart of globalisation and so migration is economics. As economic pressures change in the UK, so do the types of jobs for which immigration occurs. Salt and Millar (2006) show that in 2005 the industry in which most work permits were issued was health and medical services (26.1%). This was followed by computer services and management and business administration (18.1% and 11.8% respectively). Migrants are, therefore, clearly responding to the particular needs that the UK economy presents to them more readily than those already in the UK. This effect has been amplified by the fact that the UK has seen a period of uninterrupted growth of the economy from the mid-1990s until recent years. Thus there are considerable macroeconomic effects affecting the increased levels of migration into the UK. These types of findings are also reflected in equivalent microeconomic phenomena. Blauw (2002) has examined the reasons why employers have a tendency to use migrant workers. Blauw (2002) found that while employers tended to look first in the UK labour market, if they couldnt fill the positions they had available they began their search amongst migrant workers. Research carried out in Northern Ireland by Bell, Jarman and Lefebvre (2004) found that migrants were required in particular to fill both skilled and unskilled gaps in the labour market. It has also been found that migrant workers are often seen by employers as being ‘better workers. Reed (2005), for example, investigated migrant workers in the food manufacturing industry. It was found that the use of migrant workers had decreased the amount of sickness leave as well as the turnover of employees. Many of these findings were backed up by research into employers of migrant workers by Dench et al. (2006). They also found that in the agricultural industry domestic workers simply did not apply for the jobs that required filling, while in the hotels and catering industry domestic workers were not prepared to work the flexible hours that were required for the job. Dench et al. (2006) points out that it is natural to assume that perhaps employers were not trying very hard to fill their jobs with domestic workers, given that migrant workers frequently provide cheaper labour. This idea, though, was strongly denied by employers who claimed that they had made extensive efforts to recruit domestic workers, but without success. Some employers in the agricultural sector reported that when they tried to recruit from the Jobcentre, potential employees would come for an interview just so that they could prove they had been for an interview, so that could claim benefits. Other employers in the same sector explained that domestic workers would often quit after only a few days work. On the other hand migrant workers often worked hard and stayed in the job. Some similar results were seen in the hotels and catering sector. The approach to their work that domestic workers showed was very low compared to the dedication that migrant workers displayed. The amount of skill required for the job was also an important factor for employers (Dench et al., 2006). A good example was in the construction industry where employers especially valued Polish workers who were highly motivated and could fill the gap in skills that were seen in the industry. A similar picture in relation to skills was also seen in other industries. In the Finance and Accountancy sector employers complained that they couldnt get workers with the right qualifications. As a result they had agencies who would search globally for the right candidates. Overall, though, employers understood that the reason that they recruited migrants was that the same amount of money meant more to them than it did to domestic workers. Of course not all employers accepted migrant labour, some said they were unsure exactly what standards foreign workers were trained up to, and others thought that their lack of fluency in English was a problem (Dench et al., 2006). Despite this, many employers saw considerable advantages in employing migrant workers. Migrant workers were much more reliable and likely to show up for work than domestic workers some employers even had to remind workers to take their annual holiday. Employers also saw much lower levels of turnover with migrant workers. This was probably influenced by the fact that those registered on the WRS have to reregister if they move their employer. Further, employers reported that migrant workers were much more hard-working than domestic workers. This meant they were often prepared to work longer hours and were enthusiastic about doing overtime. Although not mentioned by many employers it was also clearly a factor that migrant workers were more likely to be satis fied working for the minimum wage than domestic workers. Similar findings for why migrant workers are employed are also revealed by McKay et al. (2006). There are also considerable incentives from the migrant workers perspectives to come to the UK for work. Unsurprisingly one of the main motivations is the availability of work and the lack of work in their country of origin. Research conducted by Norfolk County Council and YMCA Norfolk (2005) found migrant workers were primarily motivated by the relatively high rates of pay in the UK compared to their country of origin. Many were particularly interested in learning English, especially those who were from countries that had recently joined the EU. Exploitation of migrant workers The motives for migration in terms of globalisation and its specific effects on the labour market clearly set up a situation in which exploitation is a possibility. A recent Trades Union Congress (2007a) report looked at whether migration hurts migrants. They conclude that despite the advantages for employers and the immediate advantages perceived by some migrant workers, there are also significant problems faced both at the macro- and microlevels. The World Bank (2005), for example, has examined the effects on worldwide economics of the international flow of labour. This finds that migrant workers themselves are certainly better off working outside their own country, however, migrants who stay in the same country actually do worse over the long-term. Looking more specifically at the situation in the UK, though, reveals a much more mixed picture about the question of migrant workers. A variety of studies have attempted to look at the actual working conditions of migrant workers. A report from the Health and Safety Executive has looked closely at the types of risks to which migrant workers are exposed in the workplace (McKay et al., 2006). These authors point out that some previous evidence suggests that migrant workers face significant levels of exploitation in the workplace. Lawrence (2004), for example, has pointed to how the food industry has used migrant workers in order to drive down costs and increase productivity. There have also been a series of high profile cases in which migrant workers have been injured at work. In the worst of these at Morecambe Bay in 2004, 23 Chinese workers lost their lives while picking cockles when they were caught in rising tides. Evidence from the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004), though, suggests the abuses of migrant workers are more systematic. They provide evidence from a number of different sectors about the conditions under which migrant workers are employed. In the care home sector it has been found that many well-qualified workers from other countries, such as nurses, have been promised work of a similar level in the UK but end up in positions that are significantly below their level, such as carrying out cleaning or other menial tasks. Employers will also frequently hold onto the migrant workers passport so as to be able to intimidate them. As a result of this sort of intimidation, many migrant workers report finding it difficult to make any kind of complaint against their employer as they are reliant on the money earned to send back home to their families. Consequently there is unlikely to be any change in the migrant workers position. Within the cleaning sector, the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) report that there are a number of ways that migrant workers have been exploited. They report on migrant workers who have been recruited to clean motorway service stations for  £600 a month, of which  £200 is deducted for living costs of a shared room in a house. These workers did not receive a contract of employment, a National Insurance number or a payslip. The Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) also report on the recruitment of foreign nationals at universities in the UK who are given cleaning jobs after being told they will be paid in arrears then they are simply not paid at all. Within the hospitality sector more abuses have been seen. Again, the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) report that workers are hired for cleaning or working in restaurants but are not given National Insurance numbers, or contracts, and are paid below the National Minimum Wage. In the agricultural industry, the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) report that migrant workers negotiate with ‘gangmasters who present themselves as employment agencies. Workers frequently face very poor accommodation as part of the agreement for which they pay relatively high rates from their wages considering the accommodation provided. The Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) have received complaints on a number of common themes. These include very low rates of pay, no provision of payslips, non-payment of National Insurance contributions, very poor accommodation that is often overcrowded and the risk of dismissal from the job without going through the proper procedures. The findings of the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) were also echoed by Dench et al., (2006). These authors found reports of many of the same problems, as well as stories that some gangmasters in East Anglia were only paying migrant workers  £1 per hour. This was done legally be paying the minimum wage but then claiming back a huge proportion for accommodation. Migrant workers are not just taken advantage of by employers. There are reports of some people charging migrants for the privilege of finding them accommodation and work. Considering the reports from the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) and other anecdotal evidence, it seems likely that migrant workers well-being would be significantly affected by their working conditions. Shields and Price (2003) examined the psychosocial well-being of migrant workers in the UK in relation to different labour market outcomes. They found, perhaps unsurprisingly given the evidence reviewed so far, that the health of the badly treated migrant worke rs is particularly poor. In addition they have significantly lower levels of psychological well-being. Health and safety risks of migrants Considering the many reported disadvantages which migrant workers face in the workplace, it is useful to examine the risks to which they are exposed. McKay et al. (2006) carried out a study of 200 migrant workers who were interviewed across five different areas in both England and Wales. One of the aims of the study was to assess whether migrant workers were placed at any greater risk than other workers who were of domestic origin. McKay et al. (2006) point out that one of the key issues in health and safety is the provision of training. One-third of those who were interviewed in this study indicated that they had not received any training. There was, however, a considerable difference depending on the sector in which people worked. Those who worked in the public sector were significantly more likely to receive training than those who worked elsewhere. It was thought that private sector employers attitudes were that once migrant workers had obtained certification they would leave for better jobs. Clearly one of the problems in training is language. Shellekens and Smith (2004) found that communication was made particularly difficult through the use of slang and technical terms. Some employers did provide instructions in different languages but these translations were not always reliable, or were reliably read by migrant workers. Training was also limited in the sense that while there was sometimes induction training, there was unlikely to be any ongoing training. There was also considerable confusion about who was responsible for providing the health and safety training in the first place. For example in cases where migrant workers were employed by an agency, respondents to the research were unclear whose responsibility the training was. Overall McKay et al. (2006) argue that migrant workers are likely to be at a disadvantage in terms of adequate training in their jobs compared to other workers. Consequently it is understandable that around half of the migrant workers McKay et al. (2006) interviewed had no knowledge of health and safety procedures in their workplace. In terms of equipment there was some confusion uncovered in the study about whether adequate protection was provided migrant workers often claimed they werent given full equipment while employers claimed they did provide it. A similar level of contradictory messages was received when migrant workers and employers were asked about the number of accidents that occurred in the workplace. A quarter of migrant worker respondents indicated that they had suffered or witnessed an accident a relatively high proportion (McKay et al., 2006). Many also said that accident were not reported for fear of endangering their jobs. On the other hand, employers stated that accidents were rare and that all accidents, even the most minor, were reported and recorded. Employers did say, though, that they knew migrant workers were brought up in a culture of blame and so would be unlikely to report accidents. Despite the confusing picture, McKay et al. (2006) conclude that levels of accidents are probably higher amongst migrant workers. This is partly due to the fact that employers who agreed to be interviewed were probably more likely to have good procedures in place along with the fact that migrant workers who have experienced problems are also more likely to come forward for the interviews. This might partly explain the gap in reporting. The general welfare of workers was also examined by McKay et al. (2006) who looked at the temperature of working conditions, the breaks, noise and chemicals. They found, again, that there was confusion over breaks with employers generally saying that breaks were allowed, while migrant workers saying that they often werent or at least that their pay was docked if they did take a break. Similar differences were seen on the question of temperature many migrant workers worked in the extremes of temperature. For noise and chemicals there were few differences seen between migrant and other workers. Other types of complaints about working confirmed the findings of the Citizens Advice Bureau (2004) report: that migrant workers work long hours and often did not have written terms of employment. As a result of these findings the Trades Union Congress (2007b) have made a number of recommendations to improve the working conditions of migrant workers. They argue that all accidents should be reported, that there should be sufficient provision of first aid and welfare, that the correct protective equipment should be provided along with adequate training and information. This training and information should be accessible and therefore translated into the relevant language should this be required. Finally the TUC recommends that migrant workers should join a trade union so as proper support and organisation can be provided. Legal protection for migrant workers Since migrant workers are so susceptible to exploitation it is natural to ask what legal protection is in place to improve their working conditions. Since, as McKay et al. (2006) point out, migrant workers are amongst the most vulnerable, they certainly require extra protection. One particular problem identified by McKay et al. (2006) is the behaviour of some ‘gangmasters and how it has been addressed by extra legal protection. A gangmaster is someone who is responsible for the payment and supervision of a whole group of workers. While some gangmasters behave properly, others have been identified as the cause of serious problems. Anderson and Rogaly (2005) have found that the employment relationship can be seriously confused in the case where migrants are employed through gangmasters. Surveys of gangmasters have found that only 10% of them follow the law on employment and 40% were breaking the law in at least six different ways (Lawrence, 2004). To attempt to combat some of these problems the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 introduced extra protection for those working in the fisheries and agricultural sectors. This purported to introduce the criminal offence of contracting with gangmasters who had not followed the proper licensing procedures. These licensing procedures are an attempt to check agencies and gangmasters follow the proper employment procedures such as reaching the relevant health and safety standards. The Act has been severely criticised, however, as since it came into force the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has been very slow to draw up the regulations. Also, since the regulations have been drawn up it has become clear that the original powers of the Act have been significantly reduced (Davies Freedland, 2007). One of the clearest ways in which this legal protection is limited is that it simply doesnt cover the vast majority of migrant workers, who work in industries other than agriculture or fisheries. But even in the industries that it does cover, there is a level of scepticism about whether it will make a huge impact (McKay et al., 2006). Employers pointed out that the actual standards required in the licensing were relatively low and that much more stringent measures need to be put in place. The coverage of the system across the country also appears to be patchy. There was evidence that gangmasters had moved from one part of the country to another in order to avoid regulation. In addition, many felt that the audit itself didnt look too closely into the actual past working practices of the gangmasters and agencies themselves. Finally, there were also questions about how well these new laws would be enforced. Conclusion The motives for migration appear to be strong in the current labour market situation: globalisation, skill shortages and the sheer availability of certain jobs in the UK mean that migrant workers are in demand. Changes to immigration policies have meant that there are now a variety of schemes available for migrant workers to come to the UK. Overall the point should be made that the effect of migration on both the host and home countries is probably positive. Unfortunately it has become clear, due to recent studies, that a significant proportion of migrant workers, particularly those working in low-paid, low-skilled occupations, are being exploited. This exploitation appears to run right from the simple bending of rules to the complete flouting of standard UK employment practices. Both Health and Safety and TUC investigations have uncovered serious shortcomings in the treatment of migrant workers. New rules have been introduced by Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 to try and curb the i llegal practices of gangmasters and agencies. Despite this, and despite the young age of the legislation, these rules have been roundly criticised for failing to provide adequate protection for migrant workers. Not least of these criticism is that the legislation doesnt cover the majority of migrant workers. Clearly much greater levels of regulation are required to protect those migrant workers who are at the highest risk of being exploited in the UK labour market. Brexit: Causes and Consequences Brexit: Causes and Consequences On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in an event dubbed â€Å"Brexit† (Britain + exit). This paper will explore the events leading up to the vote, the reasons for and against Britain leaving the EU, the immediate and long-term fallout, the steps to implementation, and the current discussions regarding implementation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   First, recognizing the distinction between the Euro Currency and the European Union is important. The European Union is an economic and political partnership that began after WWII with six founding members to foster economic co-operation. The EU has steadily grown to 28 countries. The idea was that countries that trade together are less likely to go to war with each other. The Treaty on the European Union states that any European country can apply for membership if it respects the democratic values of the EU and is committed to promoting these values. Countries wishing to join must have stable institutions guaranteeing democracy, a functioning market economy, and the ability to take on and implement effectively the obligations of membership. Financial and transitional arrangements for new members must be negotiated. The EU has its own currency, the Euro, which is used by 19 of the member countries (Wheeler, 2017).   The Euro was adopted in 1999 and is now the second most traded currency after the United States dollar. Some sovereign states that are not part of the EU have also adopted the Euro, as well as many territories, departments, and states of Euro-zone countries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Brexit campaign kicked off in 2015, when a pledge was activated to hold a referendum, or public vote, on the UK’s membership of the EU. David Cameron made this promise under immense pressure from â€Å"Eurosceptics† and when the Conservative political party appeared to be losing votes to the UK Independence Party. Cameron then toured EU capitals seeking to renegotiate the terms of Britain’s membership, vowing to campaign to keep Britain a part of the EU. When Britain went to vote, all polls indicated that the UK would remain in the EU (Financial Times: Brexit timeline).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There were many reasons for and against leaving the EU. In 2016, Britain paid in over  £13.1 billion to the EU budget, but also received  £4.5 billion worth of spending. Determining whether the  £8.6 billion net contribution is worth the other advantages of EU membership can be difficult. The EU is a single market, meaning no tariffs are imposed on imports and exports between the 28 members. The UK currently conducts more than 50% of its trades with other members of the EU. Britain also benefits from trade deals between the EU and other world powers. Leaving the EU causes them to lose some of that negotiating power. Following Brexit, the UK could seek membership of the European Free Trade Area, which includes the 28 members of the EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. However, joining the Free Trade Area means that the UK would remain bound by almost all EU regulations, while losing their input on those regulations. Open Europe conducted a study which found that the worst-case scenario is that the UK economy loses 2.2% of its total GDP by 2030. They also found that GDP could increase by 1.6% if a free trade deal can be negotiated. Supporters of Brexit think that it would be in the best interest of other European countries to re-establish free trade. However, opponents believe that the EU would want to discourage further exits by making life hard for Britain (Brexit).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For proponents of Brexit, sovereignty was seen as a major reason to leave the EU. Few disagree that EU membership involves giving up control over its own affairs. Those that advocated for remaining in the EU said that leaving would weaken the UK’s position by taking away the power to influence events in an increasingly complex and interdependent world (Riley, 2016). British politician Douglas Carswell wrote that, â€Å"The European Union has lost control, and is unable to respond. Being part of the EU means that we can be outvoted by the Euro block on economic matters†¦The safest thing we can do is vote to take back control,† (Carswell, 2015). He goes on to add that the UK could spend more on their own priorities, such as scientific research, if they left the EU. Carswell also writes that the UK could be a greater influence for free trade and cooperation as part of the World Trade Organization. Immigration is another topic of discussion. Under EU law, the UK cannot prevent anyone from another EU member state from immigrating to the UK. Britons benefit from the ability to live and work in any of the 27 other member countries. Consequently, there has been a large increase in immigration into the UK. While the recent pace of immigration has led to concerns with housing and service provision, the overall outcome has been positive. Some believe that immigration should be cut and control of the borders should be regained. A decrease in immigration would mean more jobs for the people who remain, but with a current unemployment rate of around 4.5%, the UK does not appear to be suffering in this manner. Those that support staying in the EU estimated that there are three million jobs linked to trade with the EU. If trade and investment falls following Brexit, some of these jobs would undoubtedly be lost (Brexit). However, it is not clear exactly how many of these jobs are dependent on the UK being a part of the European Union. On the flip side, if trade were to rise after Brexit, new jobs would likely be created. A writer for the London School of Economics said that limiting freedom of movement between EU countries discourages the â€Å"brightest and the best† from coming to Britain, and it reduces the pool of potential candidates for jobs (Brexit). Security was another point of contention. Those is favor of Brexit argued that remaining in the EU is leaving the door open to terrorist attacks, because the open border does not allow them to know who is entering and exiting the country. However, several senior military figures argued that the EU is an â€Å"increasingly important pillar of our security† especially in light of instability in the Middle East and Russia. Michael Fallon, Defense Secretary, said that they needed the collective power of the EU to work together on counter-terrorism. However, Colonel Richard Kemp, former head of the international terrorism team at the Cabinet Office, said that it was absurd to assume that the EU would put citizens at risk by reducing cooperation (Brexit).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Despite strong arguments both for and against Brexit, the referendum to decide the future of the UK as part of the EU was held on Thursday, June 23, 2016. Over 30 million people voted, for a turnout of 71.8% of the voting eligible population. The UK voted to leave the EU by a vote of 51.9% to 48.1%. Across the UK, there were significant differences in the percentage of the population voting to leave. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU by votes of 62% to 38% and 55.8% to 44.2%, respectively. England and Wales voted to leave the EU with votes to leave tallying 53.4% and 52.5% (Wheeler).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The vote on Brexit came with political consequences. The day after losing the referendum, David Cameron resigned as Prime Minister. Theresa May, the former home secretary, took over, becoming Prime Minister without facing a full Conservative leadership contest after the key players from the â€Å"Leave† side withdrew from consideration. May was against Brexit during the referendum campaign but is now in favor of it because the British people voted for it. Her position is that â€Å"Brexit means Brexit†, and she began the process of leaving the UK on March 29, 2017 when she invoked Article 50, a plan for any country that wishes to leave the EU. Article 50 was created in 2009 as part of the Treaty of Lisbon, becoming the first formal mechanism for a country to leave the EU. This short, five-paragraph article spells out that any member state deciding to quit the EU must notify the European Council and negotiate its withdrawal with the EU. Countries wishing to leave have two years to reach an agreement and cannot participate in EU internal discussions about its departure (Wheeler).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Article 50 process lasts two years. Accordingly, the intention is that the UK will leave the EU on March 29, 2019, two years from the date that May began the process. This date can be extended if all 28 members agree, however currently all sides are focusing on this date as the key one. EU law still stands in the UK until it is no longer a member. There is currently uncertainty about how final the break will be on this date. Many prominent figures support a transition period of up to three years to allow a smooth implementation. Although all ties could technically be cut on this date, May and others would like to avoid such a â€Å"cold turkey† exit where current regulations on things like trade and travel ends overnight, as this could harm the economy (Wheeler). In a speech in Florence, May confirmed her government will pursue an implementation of around two years after the formal point of departure scheduled for March 2019. Under her deal, relations between Britain and the EU would remain similar as before, with the UK contributing to the EU budget to settle its divorce bill, and remaining within the single market until 2021 (Theresa).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Along with political consequences, Brexit also had several economic consequences. David Cameron and many other figures who wanted to stay in the EU predicted an immediate economic crisis if the UK voted to leave. They were partially correct; the pound slumped the day after the referendum and remains about 10% lower against the dollar and 15% down against the euro. However, the UK economy was estimated to have grown 1.8% in 2016 and has continued to grow at almost the same rate in 2017. The drop in value of the pound means that exports should get a boost as UK goods will be cheaper, but imported goods will get more expensive (United). Inflation has risen since the vote to stand currently at approximately 4%, but unemployment has also continued to fall to a 42-year low of 4.3%. House prices have fallen from 9.4% in June 2016 to 5% in August 2017 (Wheeler).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Pensions, savings, investments, and mortgages are also affected by Brexit. The UK has a â€Å"triple lock† for state pensions, which is an agreement by which pensions increase by the highest of the level of earnings, inflation, or 2.5% each year. Cameron said this policy would likely be threatened by a UK exit, and May had proposed ditching the 2.5% part of the law. However, as part of the post-election deal with the Democratic Unionist Party, the triple lock remains guaranteed. Any expats who rely on UK income, like pensions, will be impacted by currency changes. Additionally, more than a million pensioners living in Spain are currently being paid annual cost of living rises by the UK government. There is considerable concern regarding whether this policy will continue (Connington, 2017).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Savings rates dropped to record lows following the vote, partially driven by the Bank of England’s decision to halve Bank Rate in August 2016. Other factors also played in to the drop, including investors who feared instability and sought a safe haven in government bonds. Prices were pushed up and their yield was consequently decreased. Pessimism in the immediate aftermath of the referendum has subsided and savings rates have begun to bounce back. However, it is expected that rates will remain volatile until Brexit talks are settled and it can be determined what policies will be in effect. The Brexit referendum also impacted mortgage rates. Experts were wrong, however. While it was predicted that rates would initially rise following the vote, they actually fell. Again, this was partly due to the cut of the Bank Rate. It was also caused by increased competition in the mortgage market. Towards the end of 2016, rates began to creep back up, and this pattern of gradual increases is predicted to continue (Dyson, 2016).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The UK and EU negotiating teams met for the first time on June 19, 2017. They meet face-to-face for four days each month in Brussels to try to reach an agreement on the rights of UK and EU citizens after Brexit, a figure for the amount of money the UK will pay upon leaving, and what will happen to the Northern Ireland border. These negotiations are complex, as it is complicated to unpick 43 years of treaties and agreements. The UK team is led by David Davis, a veteran Conservative MP who is Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. On the EU side, Michel Barnier, a former French foreign minister and EU commissioner, is leading the charge (Wheeler). Since this has never been done before, a great deal will have to be improvised as the negotiations continue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Barnier has not been hesitant to remind the UK side that the â€Å"clock is ticking† on the negotiations. EU summits in March and June 2018 will be important in the process, but the real time crunch is expected to come in the fall of 2018. If a deal is to be approved by Parliament, the European Parliament, and the EU states, it will need to be agreed upon by this point to meet the Article 50 deadline. 72% of the EU states will have to vote in favor of the deal for it to pass. Although the UK could leave before March 2019 if an agreement is reached sooner, that is highly unlikely at this stage. May says leaving the EU with no deal in place is preferred to signing a bad one (Wheeler). If Brexit occurs with no agreement on trade, the UK would operate under World Trade Organization rules.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One main topic of discussion in the negotiations is the type of trade deal the UK will have with the UK following Brexit. Studies by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research suggest that leaving the single market could cause a long-term reduction in UK trade with Europe between 22% and 30%, unless they sign exactly the same free trade deal they have currently. Many in the EU have made it clear that they do not support this. This significant drop in trade reflects the purpose of the single market as reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers within the EU. The government believes that a portion of the trade impact can be offset by creating new free trade deals with countries outside of the EU, but that could take a while (Wheeler). The other major problem involving trade is immigration and labor mobility. Internationally operated businesses often require moving key staff in and out of the country seamlessly, and certain sectors such as agriculture and food preparation rely on thousands of EU workers. This issue is one that would be particularly impacted by a â€Å"cliff-edge† exit and would greatly benefit from transitional arrangements. While it has yet to be agreed upon for sure, at this time, it seems that all EU nationals lawfully living in the UK for at least five years will apply for â€Å"settled status† and be able to bring over spouses and children. Any deal on future legal status and rights must also be reciprocal and give certainty to the 1.2 million expats living elsewhere in Europe. Barnier has demanded more clarity and ambition from the UK government, saying that this proposal does not go far enough and he wants the same level of protection citizens have under current EU law. May has said one of her key takeaways from the Leave vote is that the British people want a reduction in immigration. She would like the net migration, or difference between the amount of people entering and leaving the country, to reach a â€Å"sustainable† level of below 100,000 per year. The rate of increase in population has slowed since the vote, largely driven by an increase in emigration from the UK by citizens of many East and Central European countries (Wheeler). Another very important facet of the Brexit negotiation is how to avoid a â€Å"hard† border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic, who have been living mostly in peace since the Good Friday Agreement twenty years ago. The invisible land border has been crucial to economic development and has been of huge symbolic importance. Neither side wants Brexit to result in new barriers, but the UK government has not yet produced a realistic proposal on how to avoid physical border controls. The EU worries that leaving this border unpoliced creates a conduit for goods to flow illegally between the UK and the EU via Ireland (Financial Times: Brexit risks). The final contentious topic of discussion is how much the UK will owe the EU for its exit. Barnier wants the UK to cover their liabilities and budgetary commitments. A Commission spokesman likened it to still needing to pay your tab even if you leave the bar. The â€Å"divorce bill† could include pension payments to EU officials, guarantees on loans such as the bailout of Ireland, and spending on infrastructure agreed on but yet to be financed. The EU wants Britain to respect the obligations resulting from the entire period of their membership, referencing the seven-year budget period that runs through 2020. The estimates as to how much this bill could end up totaling range from 5 billion pounds to over 100 billion euros. Once Britain leaves, the EU will have to fill a void in its budget of about 10 billion euros, which could mean increasing contributions from the remaining 27 members, cutting spending, or finding alternative revenue sources (Kennedy, 2017). Ideally, this issue would have been addressed first, but the British preferred to address everything at the same time so trade-offs and compromises could be made. This approach is part of the reason why little headway has been made.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Two more current issues are affecting the talks surrounding implementation. The UK government’s EU Withdrawal Bill, formerly known as the Great Repeal Bill, reached committee stage in the House of Commons in November 2017. This bill aims to ensure that European law will no longer apply in the UK following Brexit, by repealing the 1972 European Communities Act. Any existing EU legislation will be carried over into domestic UK law to help with a smooth transition. This bill will be one of the largest legislative projects ever undertaken in the UK, presenting a unique challenge because the body of EU law is found in many different places and in many different forms. Many UK laws will also no longer work upon exit, since they refer to institutions of the EU. Since not all of this can be accomplished through the repeal bill, the government plans to create powers to correct statute where necessary, without full Parliamentary scrutiny (Wheeler). The passing of this bill is further complicated by the ongoing negotiations with the EU.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another new development affecting Brexit is growing evidence that thousands of fake accounts may have been used to influence the Brexit vote. Britain’s intelligence watchdog is facing demands to examine whether Russians interfered. Academics in the UK have found that at least 419 Twitter accounts operating from the Kremlin-linked Russian Internet Research Agency tweeted about Brexit. Additionally, thousands of other Russian twitter accounts posted more than 45,000 times about Brexit during last year’s referendum, in a span of just 48 hours. Approximately 13,000 accounts that tweeted about Brexit during the campaign disappeared after the vote. Theresa May has declined to say whether she believes Russia had interfered, supporting the position that there is no evidence yet. Putin also has denied Russia’s role, saying the day after the vote that, â€Å"We closely followed the voting but never sought to influence it,† (Booth, 2017). The impacts of the Withdrawal Bill and possible Russian intervention have yet to be seen, but will definitely affect the proceedings of the talks surrounding implementation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The year and a half following the Brexit vote has been a contentious time in the UK. The full economic impact is unknown, and markets will likely be volatile as discussions continue and Brexit plays out fully. It is yet to be seen exactly when and how the UK will exit the European Union. Further complicating the exit date is May’s promise that Members of Parliament will vote at the end of the two year process to approve whatever deal is agreed to. They could potentially vote to send the UK back to renegotiate. Andy deal that is made also must be approved by the European Parliament. With so much uncertainty regarding the politics, economics, and other implications of Brexit, discussion on this topic is far from over. Once a deal is finally agreed to, it will impact the UK and the EU for years to come. References Booth, R., & Hern, A. (2017, November 15). Intelligence watchdog urged to look at Russian influence on Brexit vote. Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/nov/15/intelligence-watchdog-urged-to-look-at-russian-influence-on-brexit-vote Brexit: What are the pros and cons of leaving the EU. (n.d.). Retrieved from:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.theweek.co.uk/brexit-0 Carswell, D. (2015, October 09). Douglas Carswell: Why Im backing Vote Leave in the EU referendum. Retrieved from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/11922172/Douglas-    Carswell-Why-Im-backing-Vote-Leave-in-the-EU-referendum.html Connington, J. (2017, March 10). ​​​How Brexit will affect your money: investments, currency and more. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/investing/isas/brexit-will-affect-money-investments-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   currency/ Dyson, R. E. (2016, June 24). Brexit: ​how will your savings and mortgages be affected? Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/personal-banking/savings/brexit-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   outcome-what-it-means-for-savings/ Financial Times: Brexit risks destabilizing Irelands fragile peace. (n.d.). Retrieved from     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   https://www.ft.com/content/046ce872-c30a-11e7-b2bb-322b2cb39656 Financial Times: Brexit timeline: key dates in UKs divorce with EU. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/64e7f218-4ad4-11e7-919a-1e14ce4af89b Kennedy, S. (2017, July 14). Explaining Brexits Costs and Whether Britain Will Pay Up.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-14/brexit-s-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   costs-and-whether-britain-will-pay-up-quicktake-q-a Riley-Smith, B. (2016, June 16). Leave or Remain in the EU? The arguments for and against Brexit. Retrieved from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/leave-or-remain-in-the-eu-the-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   arguments-for-and-against-brexit/ Theresa May Seeks 2-Year Brexit Implementation Period. (n.d.). Retrieved from     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://time.com/4952988/britain-theresa-may-brexit-two-years-implementation-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   period/ United Kingdom. (n.d.). Retrieved from   https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/gbr/ What are the key issues for the Brexit negotiations? (2017, March 29). Retrieved from     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-39196315 Wheeler, A. H. (2017, November 13). Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   the EU. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-32810887