Macroeconomic Implications Education As Foundation Of Nations Economy - 825 Words

Macroeconomic Implications: Education As A Foundation Of Nations Economy (Essay Sample) Content: Macroeconomics Name Instructor’s name Institution Education as A Foundation of Nations Economy According to me, education is simply a continuous learning process that equips one with the knowledge to face all aspects of life challenges. Education illustrates its significance to the growth of the economy as a promoter of production quality, technology advancement and human development. Education helps individuals to attain success in various fields and also helps in setting higher objectives which helps them surpass the ordinary persons, especially in the job market. In this article, am going to discuss the educational system in both Ireland and Taiwan and its macroeconomic implications. Irish Education System In Ireland, education is mandatory for all children aged 6-16 until completion of the three-year second level education. The education system comprises of primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary education. Under primary or first-level education entirely covers basic education including science education and environment, social, mathematics, language, health education, physical integration, and education arts (drama and music). Secondary education offers several kinds of post-primary schools; comprehensive, community, secondary and vocational schools. After primary education, the majority of pupils go to vocational/secondary schools till they attain a leaving certificate after the 12th grade. Second level education constitutes a three-year junior series accompanied by a two or three-year senior series. In vocational education, 30% of secondary school students are offered with practical skills that can help them earn a living. Third-level education. It comprises of a technological sector, university sector and colleges of education. It also includes independent private institutions. There are universities which govern themselves and the offer degree programs at bachelor, masters and doctorate level. The whole population of Ireland as per 2018 statistics is approximated to be 4,803,748 people. The population that attend primary, secondary and higher education institution is approximated to be 1,091,632 people. This implies that at least 50% of this statistical population have attained primary education, 34% have acquired secondary education and at 16% have acquired post-secondary education. Taiwan Education System In Taiwan, the ministry of education has the responsibility of setting and maintaining policies governing education and also managing all public education. The education system is made up of primary education -elementary schools. Secondary education-junior, senior and vocational schools. Higher education includes institutions such as universities, colleges and technical institutes ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"OI1kfnQG","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Woo, 1991)","plainCitation":"(Woo, 1991)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":498,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/MqS91Xa3/items/855BMJQK"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/MqS91Xa3/items/855BMJQK"],"itemData":{"id":498,"type":"article-journal","title":"Education and economic growth in Taiwan: A case of successful planning","container-title":"World Development","page":"1029–1044","volume":"19","issue":"8","source":"Google Scholar","shortTitle":"Education and economic growth in Taiwan","author":[ {"family":"Woo","given":"Jennie Hay"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["1991"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Woo, 1991). Taiwan as a province roughly homes a population of 23 million people out of which 5,384,926 people are formally literate at various levels. Total of 40% of this population attends primary education, 31% secondary school level and 29% post-secondary education. Macroeconomic Implications of Education In as much as education seems to benefit an individual, it is one of the foundations of economic growth in many countries and in this case, Ireland and Taiwan. some of the positive macroeconomic implications of education include employment. From statistics employment figures in both countries have illustrated a considerable increase, because the educated young graduates have occupied several net professional job opportunities offered by the government. Employed people are capable of meeting their basic needs and thus contributing to the overall income of the nation. One’s income is another one’s expenditure. Education is an investment. In the long run edu...

A Guide to the Origins and Celebration of Kwanzaa

Unlike Christmas, Ramadan, or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is unaffiliated with a major religion. One of the newer American holidays, Kwanzaa originated in the turbulent 1960s to instill racial pride and unity in the black community. Now, fully recognized in mainstream America, Kwanzaa is widely celebrated. The U.S. Postal Service debuted its first Kwanzaa stamp in 1997, releasing a second commemorative stamp in 2004. In addition, former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush recognized the day while in office. But Kwanzaa has its share of critics, despite its mainstream status. Are you considering celebrating Kwanzaa this year? Discover the arguments for and against it, whether all blacks (and any non-blacks) celebrate it and the impact of Kwanzaa on American culture. What Is Kwanzaa? Established in 1966 by the African-American professor, activist and author Ron Karenga (or Maulana Karenga), Kwanzaa aims to reconnect black Americans to their African roots and recognize their struggles as a people by building community. It is observed every year between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Derived from the Swahili term, â€Å"matunda ya kwanza,† which means â€Å"first-fruits,† Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations such as the seven-day Umkhost of Zululand. According to the official Kwanzaa website, â€Å"Kwanzaa was created out of the philosophy of Kawaida, which is a cultural nationalist philosophy that argues that the key challenge in black people’s [lives] is the challenge of culture, and that what Africans must do is to discover and bring forth the best of their culture, both ancient and current, and use it as a foundation to bring into being models of human excellence and possibilities to enrich and expand our lives.† Just as many African harvest celebrations run for seven days, Kwanzaa has seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba. They are: umoja (unity); kujichagulia (self-determination); ujima (collective work and responsibility); ujamaa (cooperative economics); nia (purpose); kuumba (creativity); and imani (faith). Celebrating Kwanzaa During Kwanzaa celebrations, a mkeka (straw mat) rests on a table covered by kente cloth, or another African fabric. On top of the mkeka sits a kinara (candleholder) in which the mishumaa saba (seven candles) go. The colors of Kwanzaa are black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle, according to the official Kwanzaa website. Mazao (crops) and the kikombe cha umoja (the unity cup) also sit on the mkeka. The unity cup is used to pour tambiko (libation) in remembrance of ancestors. Lastly, African art objects and books about the life and culture of African people sit on the mat to symbolize commitment to heritage and learning. Do All Blacks Observe Kwanzaa? Although Kwanzaa celebrates African roots and culture, the National Retail Foundation found that just 13 percent of African Americans observe the holiday, or approximately 4.7 million. Some blacks have made a conscious decision to avoid the day because of religious beliefs, the origins of the day and the history of Kwanzaa’s founder (all of which will be covered later). If you’re curious about whether a black person in your life observes Kwanzaa because you want to get him or her a related card, gift, or another item, simply ask. Don’t make assumptions. Can Non-Blacks Celebrate Kwanzaa? While Kwanzaa focuses on the black community and African Diaspora, people from other racial groups may join in the celebration. Just as people from a range of backgrounds partake in cultural celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year or Native American powwows, those who aren’t of African descent may celebrate Kwanzaa. As the Kwanzaa Web site explains, â€Å"The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world.† New York Times  reporter Sewell Chan grew up celebrating the day. â€Å"As a child growing up in Queens, I remember attending Kwanzaa celebrations at the American Museum of Natural History with relatives and friends who, like me, were Chinese-American,† he  said. â€Å"The holiday seemed fun and inclusive (and, I admit, a bit exotic), and I eagerly committed to memory the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Check local newspaper listings, black churches, cultural centers or museums to find out where to celebrate Kwanzaa in your community. If an acquaintance of yours celebrates Kwanzaa, ask for permission to attend a celebration with her. However, it would be offensive to go as a voyeur who doesn’t care about the day itself but is curious to see what it’s about. Go because you agree with the principles of the day and are committed to implementing them in your own life and community. After all, Kwanzaa is a day of tremendous significance for millions of people. Objections to Kwanzaa Who opposes Kwanzaa? Certain Christian groups who regard the holiday as pagan, individuals who question its authenticity and those who object to founder Ron Karenga’s personal history. A group called the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND), for one, labeled the holiday as racist and anti-Christian. In an article in the self-avowed right-wing anti-muslim magazine FrontPage, BOND founder the Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson takes issue with the trend of preachers incorporating Kwanzaa into their messages, calling the move â€Å"a horrible mistake† which distances blacks from Christmas. â€Å"First of all, as we’ve seen, the whole holiday is made up,† Peterson argues. â€Å"Christians who celebrate or incorporate Kwanzaa are moving their attention away from Christmas, the birth of our Savior, and the simple message of salvation: love for God through his Son.† The Kwanzaa Web site explains that Kwanzaa isn’t religious or designed to replace religious holidays. â€Å"Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e., Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists†¦,† the site says. â€Å"For what Kwanzaa offers is not an alternative to their religion or faith but a common ground of African culture which they all share and cherish.† African Roots? and a Troubled Founder Even those who don’t oppose Kwanzaa on religious grounds may take issue with it because Kwanzaa is not an actual holiday in Africa and, furthermore, the customs founder Ron Karenga based the holiday on roots in Eastern Africa. During the  transatlantic slave trade, however, blacks were taken from Western Africa, meaning that Kwanzaa and its  Swahili  terminology aren’t part of most African Americans’ heritage. Another reason people choose not to observe Kwanzaa is the background of Ron Karenga. In the 1970s, Karenga was  convicted  of felony assault and false imprisonment. Two black women from the Organization Us, a black nationalist group with which he’s still affiliated, were reportedly victimized during the attack. Critics question how Karenga can be an advocate for unity within the black community when he himself was allegedly involved in an attack on black women. Wrapping Up While Kwanzaa and its founder are sometimes subject to criticism, journalists such as Afi-Odelia E. Scruggs celebrate the holiday because they believe in the principles it espouses. In particular, the values Kwanzaa gives to children and to the black community at large are why Scruggs observes the day. Initially, Scruggs thought Kwanzaa was contrived, but seeing its principles at work changed her mind. In a  Washington Post  column, she wrote, â€Å"I’ve seen Kwanzaa’s ethical principles work in many little ways. When I remind the fifth-graders I teach that they aren’t practicing ‘umoja’ when they disturb their friends, they quiet down. †¦When I see neighbors turning vacant lots into community gardens, I’m watching a practical application of both ‘nia’ and ‘kuumba.’† In short, while Kwanzaa has inconsistencies and its founder a troubled history, the holiday aims to unify and uplift those who observe it. Like other holidays, Kwanzaa can be used as a positive force in the community. Some believe this outweighs any concerns about authenticity.

William Faulkners A Rose for Emily and Barn Burning Essay

Symbolism in William Faulkners A Rose for Emily and Barn Burning If we compare William Faulkners two short stories, A Rose for Emily and Barn Burning, he structures the plots of these two stories differently. However, both of the stories note the effect of a father ¡Ã‚ ¦s teaching, and in both the protagonists Miss Emily and Sarty make their own decisions about their lives. The stories present major idea through symbolism that includes strong metaphorical meaning. Both stories affect my thinking of life. Both  ¡Ã‚ §A Rose for Emily ¡Ã‚ ¨ and  ¡Ã‚ §Barn Burning ¡Ã‚ ¨ address the influence of a father, and the protagonists of both stories make their own†¦show more content†¦He notifies the landlord of the fire, and runs away from his family.  ¡Ã‚ §He [Sarty] did not look back ¡Ã‚ ¨ ( ¡Ã‚ §Barn Burning ¡Ã‚ ¨, 25). He does not want to let his father controlling him anymore. He wants to start his own life. Both the stories present major ideas through symbolism. Faulkner uses particular objects to link the tales with his metaphorical meaning.  ¡Ã‚ §A Rose for Emily ¡Ã‚ ¨ does not explicitly involve a rose. Faulkner notes the rose only twice, in the title and the third paragraph from the last,  ¡Ã‚ §Ã‚ ¡Kthis room decked and furnished as for a bridal: upon the valance curtains of faded rose color, upon the rose-shaded lights ¡K ¡Ã‚ ¨ ( ¡Ã‚ §A Rose for Emily, 129). But the significant symbolic meaning of the rose strongly affects the readers ¡Ã‚ ¦ perception of Miss Emily. It stirs the readers to sympathize with Miss Emily. Rose stands for true love, expectation and the most resplendent period of life. Miss Emily adorns her room as a bridal chamber in rose color, representing a woman who yearns for true love and dreams of a fairyland where she and her beloved can stay together forever. For years, Miss Emily ¡Ã‚ ¦s father drove away all the young men who want to date with h er. Her father thwarted her to experiencing love. In her dreary existence, Homer Barron is the only bright spot, one  ¡Ã‚ §rose ¡Ã‚ ¨. Like a wilted rose, she keeps his body, forever. It reminds her of the joy she once had in her otherwise emptyShow MoreRelatedWilliam Faulkner’s Barn Burning and A Rose for Emily Essay1157 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Barn Burning† is a story filled with myth. This coming of age story features a boy stuck in a family with a father who can be thought of as Satan, and can be easily seen as connected to myths of Zeus and Cronus. The connection to Zeus is further elaborated when William Faulkner’s â€Å"A Rose for Emily† is also considered. These two stories along with a few others provided an amazing view of the south. Many characters or families can be viewed as groups that lived in the south duringRead MoreEssay on A Rose for Emily and Barn Burning856 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Faulkner some would say was one of the great writers of American literature during the twentieth century. His stories many times had a gothic plot and contained odd or supernatural ideas and characters. He had many notable works, two of which were â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and â€Å"Barn Burning†. â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and â€Å"Barn Burning† are similar in the way that William Faulkner portrays the characters and the tone he uses in both. Emily the main character in â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and Sartoris theRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily And Barn Burning796 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Faulkner has said that when you are writing a novel, there is a lot of room to add some fluff and be a bit careless with your ideas, but when writing a short story there is no room for â€Å"trash†, as he calls it. However, this can be a tough thing to do when you have a lot to say. Even Faulkner could have difficulty following along with his beliefs. After having read and considered A Rose for Emily and Barn Burning, I do believe that William Faulkner has been true to his beliefs in both of theseRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1801 Words   |  8 Pages William Faulkner is known for his many short stories, however, many has wondered what has influenced him in writing these stories. Like his well known, most famous short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, which has always been compared to â€Å"Barn Burning†, one of Faulkner’s other short story. It only make sense to compare them two together because these two stories has may similarities , whether it may be in setting , characters or style they favor each other . Nevertheless they also have many differencesRead MoreComparing the Setting of Barn Burning to that of A Rose for Emily1352 Words   |  6 PagesComparing the Setting of Barn Burning to that of A Rose for Emily William Faulkner has written some of the most unique novels and short stories of any author, and, to this day, his stories continue to be enjoyed by many. Both â€Å"Barn Burning† and â€Å"A Rose for Emily† tell about the life of southern people and their struggles with society, but Faulkner used the dramatic settings of these two stories to create a mood unlike any other and make the audience feel like they too were a part of these southernRead MoreWilliam Faulkner s A Rose For Emily1810 Words   |  8 Pages William Faulkner is one amazing writing ,who is known for his many short stories .However, many has wondered what has influenced him in writing these stories . Like his well known, most famous short story â€Å"A Rose for Emily†, which has always been compared to â€Å"Barn Burning†, one of Faulkner’s other short story. It only make sense to compare them two together because these two stories has may similarities , whether it may be in setting , characters or style they favor each other . NeverthelessRead MoreA Rose For Emily And Barn Burning By William C. Faulkner949 Words   |  4 Pagesshort stories were written by William C. Faulkner who embodied the Southern sensibility, and to this day his stories continue to be enjoyed by many. Faulkner was born from a rich family who had accumulated wealth before the Civil War, but like many families in the South they had lost all of it during the conflict. His family moved to Oxford, Mississippi which is the basis for the fictional town of Jefferson in most of his stories from Yoknapatawpha County. Faulkner’s stories create a mood to makeRead MoreComparing and Contrasting Barn Burning and A Rose for Emily1141 Words   |  5 PagesHunter Taylor Dr. William Bedford English 1102-011 10 September 2013 Comparing and Contrasting â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and â€Å"Barn Burning† In William Faulkner’s short stories â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and â€Å"Barn Burning† the characters are both guilty of committing terrible crimes. However, Miss Emily in â€Å"A Rose for Emily† and Abner Snopes in â€Å"Barn Burning† are both portrayed very differently from each other. A few things to consider while reading these short stories is how each of these characters is characterizedRead MoreA Rose For Emily By William Faulkner1138 Words   |  5 Pagespity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.† With these words, American author William Faulkner described the duty of an author in his Noble Prize acceptance speech. Under further examination of Faulkner’s works, one would expect to find that he followed his own job description. However, two of his most well-known short stories seem to be contradicting. Neither â€Å"A Rose for Emily† nor â€Å"Barn Burning† is uplifting because the protagonists strugg le with their communities, loyalty to their fathersRead More William Faulkner Essay1234 Words   |  5 Pagesthe beginning of the twentieth century (William Faulkner; 699). He was the son to Murray C. and Maud Butler Faulkner (Hoffman 13). Growing up in the South in the early 1900s meant being exposed to harsh racism. He watched the blacks endure unbelievable amounts of cruelty and was amazed at how the blacks conducted themselves with such dignity. He witnessed, first hand, what discrimination is and could not comprehend why this goes on. In many of Faulkners works I found that he portrayed blacks as

Stereotypes Of Stereotypes Are Everywhere - 2445 Words

Stereotypes are everywhere. No matter which part of the world you are in, no matter who you talk to, there will always be stereotypes. In Stuyvesant, for example, the main stereotype deals with Asians. Typically, when most people think of Asians, their first instinct is to imagine an extremely studious child with millions of extracurricular who stays upridiculouslylate doing homework. He or she sits in a dark room, illuminated by only a small desk lamp, bending over the twenty page math homework assignment due for weeks in advance. In addition, if an Asian isn t getting straight A s in all of his or her classes, then the only valid conclusion is that they must be doing drugs. I mean, there is absolutely no other possible reason for a student of Asian descent to not be a straight-A student, right? Another relatively popular stereotype in Stuy is about Russian people. There is a relatively large number of Russian kids in Stuyvesant, and all of them have to deal with a couple of false preconceptions about their culture. All of the students of Russian descent are, without a doubt, permanently-drunk alcoholics. They have cold personalities and are very straight to the point. They rarely smile, but when they do, it is not a smile that isfriendly,but more of a smirk. They also all have an IV of vodka under their clothes to keep themselves constantly intoxicated without getting caught, right? I fall into the large group of Russians that are forced to fall victim to theShow MoreRelatedEffects Of Stereotyping In Schools1122 Words   |  5 Pageson hate or fear. Stereotyping can cause behaviors that will be carried into ones adulthood. How we stereotype someone changes them? It changes the way we act towards them because of how we classify them. Stereotypes make people treat others differently, which begins to affect those who are being judged. The way people act towards a person can begin to shape that person. Stereotyping is everywhere, and that’s not good because people’s judgement of others changes how that person looks at himself.Read MoreStereotypes And The Athletic Snob1083 Words   |  5 PagesStereotype- a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Stereotypes show up everywhere, and the stories The Outsiders, a realistic fiction novel by S.E. Hinton, and the short story â€Å"The Athletic Snob† by Sam Barnes are no exceptions. In The Outsiders, the town Ponyboy Curtis lives in is divided in two: the rich, wild Socials, or Socs, and the quiet, tough Greasers. Throughout the course of the novel, Ponyboy, his brothers, and his friend s startRead MoreStereotypes of Africa: How Much Do You Know?669 Words   |  3 PagesThe word stereotype can be defined as â€Å"a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. Stereotypes can be found everywhere, from schools to our views on the world. There are many stereotypes about Africans and Africa as a whole, and just like a majority of all stereotypes, they couldn’t be more wrong. One of the stereotypes about Africa is that it’s a country. It has often been argued that Africa isn’t a continent when, in actuality, it is the secondRead MoreRacial Stereotypes755 Words   |  4 PagesThere are many different stereotypes in the world today. They can be used for different categories like age, gender and race. Stereotypes are formed by the media, passed down from many generations and also just the populations need to understand the social world around us. Racial stereotypes make up large portion of stereotypes in todays society. Racial stereotypes can be used for comedic effect and our found to be funny by a majority of people, but they can also be depicted as hate to an ethnicRead MoreEssay on Anti-Gay Bullying Stereotypes and Suicides825 Words   |  4 PagesAnti-Gay Bullying 1 Anti-Gay Bullying Stereotypes and Suicides HU300: Art and Humanities: Twentieth Century and Beyond Anti-Gay Bullying 2 Anti-Gay Bullying Stereotypes and Suicides Anti-gay bulling has increased over the years. There are more gays and lesbians committing suicide as a result. Asher Brown, a 13-year-old Houston, Texas teen committed suicide because he could not take the daily ridiculing of being bullied at school for years. Asher wasRead MoreEthnic Stereotyping : Nereotyping, And Racial Stereotypes910 Words   |  4 PagesStereotypes Stereotypes refers to the features imposed upon individual groups which are conventional, formulaic and exaggerated regarding to their nationality, race and sexual alignment, among many others (Stuart Ewen Elizabeth Ewen; 2006). These features tend to be over simplications of the groups involved. For instance, somebody who meets some few people from a certain country and finds them to be old fashioned and quit may spread to all the people from the country in question are reserved andRead MoreStereotypes - A Hasty Generalization Essay example961 Words   |  4 PagesStereotypes are everywhere and can be about anyone. Generalized remarks about gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or age are common forms of stereotyping. Any time someone makes hasty groupings whether by race, gender or an individual and makes a blanket judgment about them is stereotyping. Military members are no different than society. One of the militarys greatest assets is its diverse workforce but w ith diversity comes stereotypes. As a woman in the military, I frequently encounterRead MoreThe Social And Multicultural Differences Of The Movie Crash Essay981 Words   |  4 Pagestwo major behaviors observed are Prejudice and Stereotyping. These are identified as the causes of the events in the movie. The three main topics of this essay are, what do they say about the people who subscribe to them?, what are stereotypes?, and how have stereotypes affected your life (either by placing them on others or having them placed on you)? These all play a major role in the movie. What do they say about the people who subscribe them? In my opinion, stereotyping is just people assumingRead MoreStereotypes And Stereotypes Of Stereotypes1362 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION: In today’s world stereotypes play a huge role. Stereotypes are constantly discussed and spread among members of a society, and usually have a negative message. It is commonly said that a world without these stereotypes is how the world should be. However, this is unachievable. As harmful as a stereotype can be, it is necessary and it is a part of all of our lives. Stereotypes are inevitable and present in all places and therefore are a factor in all human beings lives whether they knowRead MoreStereotyping And Its Effects On The Workplace987 Words   |  4 Pagesthe ways people perceive people is stereotypes. Stereotypes is a way of judging someone by basing their perception on the group that they belong. Stereotyping is a shortcut for judging others. The problem with stereotyping is that it is a worldwide issue that includes widespread generalizations that may not be true when applied to a certain individual or situation. Stereotypes can influence individual’s decision making significantly. Research shows that stereotypes operates off of emotions and below

Employee Motivation Research Paper - 2403 Words

Motivating Employees Introduction Employees are motivated by both intrinsic and extrinsic rewards. In order for the reward system to be effective, it must encompass both sources of motivation. Studies have found that among employees surveyed, money was not the most important motivator, and in some instances managers have found money to have a de-motivating or negative effect on employees. This research paper addresses the definition of rewards in the work environment context, the importance of rewarding employees for their job performance, motivators to employee performance such as extrinsic and intrinsic rewards, Herzberg’s two-factor theory in relation to rewarding employees, Hackman and Oldman model of job enrichment that†¦show more content†¦Cicerone et al (2007) suggests that â€Å"Rewarding employees for their job performance that meets or exceeds customer expectations is important because: âž ¢ It tells employees what standards their job performance must meet. âž ¢ When employees kn ow that customers expect a particular level of performance, they’ll be more cooperative about performing at that level than if a performance standard seems to be based on a manager’s impulse. âž ¢ Rewards improve employee job performance. âž ¢ The need to discipline employees is reduced because employee job performance meets customer expectations more often. This creates a more pleasant work environment for managers and their employees. âž ¢ Customers’ expectations are more likely to be met by employee job performance even when a manager isn’t present. ( ¶. 8) Motivators According to Bateman Snell (2009), Motivators to employee job performance are centered on extrinsic and intrinsic rewards. Extrinsic rewards are characteristics of the workplace that attract and retain people. They revolve around organization and management policies, working conditions, pay, benefits, and other so-called â€Å"hygiene† factors. Intrinsic rewards are motivators that provide employees personal satisfaction in the performance of their jobs such as opportunities for personal and career growth, recognition and the feeling of achievement in the successful completion of a task. (p. 486). Herzberg’s two-factor theory suggestsShow MoreRelatedMotivation To Improve Performance Through Employee Involvement.1571 Words   |  7 Pages Motivation to Improve Performance through Employee Involvement Charlese Mason Leadership and Organizational Behavior; 520 Dr. Laura Jones Strayer University February 13, 2017 Content 1 Introduction (Motivation through Involvement) 2 The Important Road Ahead (Optimizing Value and Performance) A. What is Motivation B. What is Employee Involvement 3 Leading Characteristics (Management Styles/Organizational Behavior) A. Understanding the Sticks and Carrots Read MoreHow Leaders Motivate Employees And Organizations831 Words   |  4 Pageslike to address the problem of how leaders motivate employees in organizations. This is a general topic which can have a wide range of applicability (and that’s part of its appeal to me). But the problem of employee motivation, and how leaders can stimulate and/or make use of that motivation, is critical to the success of any organization. A leader can have the perfect plan of action and yet fall short of meeting their objective simply because they did not know how to generate momentum among theirRead MoreFrederick Herzberg1492 Words   |  6 Pagesarticle written by Frederick Herzberg himself are covered in this paper. Mr. Herzberg’s theory of management focuses on one area mainly. The area of focus deals with job satisfaction and everything that leads to job satisfaction. Unlike my previous papers, this paper will focus on one main subject. I will try to explain in detail the Herzberg theory. â€Å"Introduction† The Herzberg theory is the subject of this paper. The purpose of this paper is to explain Mr. Herzberg’s management theory. The backgroundRead MoreTHE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION AND PERFORMANCE1110 Words   |  5 PagesMotivation can be a key-contributing factor in employee performance. It is of great importance to an organization to recognize ways in which it can use employee motivation to positively affect employee performance. The methods used by organizations to motivate its employees are essential in determining how they affect employee performance. There are both positive and negative motivational tools that may be explored. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between motivation andRead MoreHuman Resource Management Influence Organizational Outcomes1314 Words   |  6 Pagesenhancement of skill, motivation and opportunity on both proximal and distal outcomes of an organization. The results indicate that skill-enhancing practices w ere more positively related to human capital and less positively related to employee motivation than motivation-enhancing practices and opportunity-enhancing practices. Moreover, the three dimensions of HR systems were related to financial outcomes both directly and indirectly by influencing human capital and employee motivation as well as voluntaryRead MoreOrganisational Culture and Motivation1496 Words   |  6 PagesReading INTRODUCTION AND RATIONALE As Desson and Clouthier (2010) state, culture is an important factor in both attracting and retaining desirable employees. The extent to which an employee’s needs and expectations are fulfilled will determine the motivation, job satisfaction and performance levels (Mullins, 2005, p. 499) which would be influenced by culture. XY Ltd (XY) established in 1944 has become the market leader in sea trade in Sri Lanka at present with the areas shipping, marine services andRead MoreOperations of Goodwill Industries International1190 Words   |  5 Pagesthis paper, we present an in-depth analysis of the operations of Goodwill Industries International is an independent, not-for-profit organizations that provides employment placement services, job training as well as other community-based programs for individuals who are disabled, lack education or any job experience or face employment challenges. Our analysis indicated that the huge gap or disparity between CEO and average employee pay resulted in low motivation among the workers.The paper exploresRead MoreResearch Proposal on the Impact of Motivation on Employee Job Performance934 Words   |  4 PagesResearch Proposal on The Impact of Motivation on Employee Job Performance The Impact of Motivation on Employee Job Performance Introduction People within an organization are harmoniously working together to satisfy one certain goal, whether short or long-term goal. The organization, as the collection of people, are expected to be deliver the best assets that they have which are the people bearing the knowledge and skills suitable to their position in the organization. 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Eleven Case and the Industrial Relations System

Question: Discuss about the Eleven Case and the Industrial Relations System. Answer: Introduction: 7-Eleven, the largest convenience store chain of Australia has been under the scanner for over seven years. The reason for this being the alleged systematic underpayment of wages to its employees mostly international students. Investigations have also given indications of rosters and time sheets being doctored, store financials having wage bills that are understated and explosive documents in relation to payroll compliance (Hobday, 2016). The store reviews have provided further evidence of deep rooted rot within the Australian empire of 7-Eleven (The Sydney Morning Herald, 2015). This essay will discuss a brief summary of the report that was released by Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) in April, 2016 on the findings of the inquiry that it carried out on the franchisees of 7-Eleven in view of the above allegations of systematic non-compliance with federal workplace laws. Besides this, it will also explain the failings or gaps that are present in the industrial relations system which enabled the convenience store to underpay its employees. Finally, recommendations will be provided which will help in protecting the rights of the employees so that they are prevented from being exploited on the same lines in future. Brief Summary of the 7 Eleven Inquiry The Fair Work Ombudsman carried out an inquiry into the franchise network of 7 Eleven. This was prompted by allegations from the employees of 7-Eleven regarding the systematic non-compliance with the federal laws in relation to the workplace. It had also come to light that several franchisees were falsifying the records in a deliberate move for disguising the underpayment of wages (Australian Government, 2016). The FW Act permits inquiry into any practice or act which is in contradiction to the Act, an instrument of fair work or safety net contractual entitlement (Australian Government, 2015). Thus, the purpose of such an inquiry by FWO was identifying if the allegations had a basis within the store network of 7-Eleven, what factors were the driving forces for non-compliant behaviour, were these factors being disguised and in case yes, then how, how was it possible to expose them and who was responsible for it. The inquiry looked to access the role as well as the involvement of the companys head office and if the franchise operating model was in itself a contributing factor to the unlawful behaviour that certain franchisees demonstrated. The aim of the inquiry was also to find out if the workers themselves turned out to be in participants in the non-compliance either inadvertently or reluctantly. The inquiry for structured in a way that it included several major activity components particul arly investigations on the basis of the assistance requests from the individual employees, testing allegations that were anonymous, engaging with 7-Eleven and forensic auditing of a sample of the stores in an in-depth manner (Australian Government, 2016). Based on the continuous concerns of the employees as well as intelligence the strategic inquiry by FWO started in a sample of 20 stores of 7-Eleven throughout the provinces of Queensland, NSW and Victoria in June, 2014. The aim of the inquiry was to test the allegations by means of site inspections in a coordinated manner followed by an analysis of record keeping of a sample of 20 stores of the company. Several in-depth investigations were also undertaken which revealed concerning levels of non-compliance with both the Fair Work Regulations 2009 and the Fair Work Act 2009 and many instances of records being deliberately manipulated for disguising underpayment of wages. Three of the five stores were found to be underpaying their staff (Australian Government, 2016). The investigations of sample stores and other stores which were investigated as a result of wider inquiry led to several enforcement action comprising filing of seven matters in the Federal Circuit Court, issuance of 20 caution letters, one enforceable undertaking, issuance of 3 notices of compliance and 14 notices of infringement along with the recovery of more than $293, 500 for the employees (Australian Government, 2016). It was found out by the inquiry that the approach of 7-Eleven to the matters of the workplace promoted compliance ostensibly but it also did not detect in an adequate manner or address the issue of deliberate non-compliance. Consequently, it compounded the matter. In certain specific instances, misleading and false records were created by the franchisees for satisfying the auditing as well as payroll regime of 7-Eleven while they continued to underpay their workers (Briton, 2015). Despite the presence of such signs, 7-Eleven did not make any substantial alterations in either its store review processes or its payroll system for targeting the risks related to incorrect record-keeping. The inquiry also suggested that the records or store practices were not interrogated sufficiently by the payroll section for uncovering the signs of non-compliance where they were hidden by the franchisee even though a reasonable basis was present before 7-Eleven to conduct inquiry and take action (Austra lian Government, 2016). The Failings (Gaps) are in the Industrial Relations System that Enabled 7-Eleven to Underpay its Workers The formal allegations related to non-compliance led to the identification of certain themes as well as practices related to gaps in the system of industrial relations which led to the workers being underpaid. The workforce of 7-Eleven largely consisted of international students from the backgrounds that were non-English speaking. Although the international student visas permit them to work for 40 hours in a fortnight, several of the students were working in excess of this. They are paid correctly on paper but half their pay is taken back by blackmailing them, indicating the existence of a cash-back scheme (Cox, 2016). Thus, they were employed in breach of their visa conditions and threatened with deportation in case they complained. Their wage records are falsified to show that they were working as per the requirements of the visa. A common feature of these kinds of allegations was the training periods that were unpaid and ranged from one shift to 14 days of work(Nunweek, 2015). It thus came to light that the intersection between the visa framework as well as the workplace relations system was apparently multiplying the vulnerable situation in which the workers found themselves. The international students in Australia are permitted to work for only 20 hours in a week but they were forced to work for 40 hours by the franchisees and then paid only for 20 hours. Therefore, if their base wage per hour is $24, they effectively receive only $12 (Branley, 2015). As per the law in Australia, the minimum wages cannot be undercut by the employers, even though the employees might make an offer of accepting the low rates. The employees also have to maintain at all times, accurate records related to time-and-wages. There are minimum pay rates that apply to everyone in Australia and are not negotiable. The employer cannot take advantage of any worker especially an overseas employee who may have limited knowledge of English and their rights of the workplace but the student s were threatened that if they tried to complaint they will end up losing their visas or being deported due to the breach of the conditions in their own visas (Nunweek, 2015). This way the franchisees took advantage of the gaps and exploited the vulnerability of these students by catching them in a vicious trap. Recommendations Recommendations which will protect the rights of employees from being exploited along similar lines in the future should first of all recognise the need of balancing the range of regulatory as well as policy settings that every framework is looking to address. In light of this, it is recommended that companies implement arrangements for effective governance which ensure that all the federal workplace laws are complied with. The companies having franchisees can also establish a staff consultative forum which can have representatives of the employees from the different parts of the network and this should be separate from the franchisees. These companies should accept their ethical as well as moral responsibility to make sure that their stores meet the expectations of the society and the community for fair, safe and equal work opportunities for every employee. The corporates like 7-Eleven also need to review their operating models for ensuring periodic reviews of their financial viabil ity and also legal exposure with respect to their agreements of franchising. An independent external party may be engaged for self-auditing their compliance. Steps should be taken for improving the employment related practices of the franchisees by implementation of changes that are not only permanent but also sustainable for a franchise model for ensuring that workplace relations law like the Fair Work Act, 2009 and other instruments related to it are complied with in full for every employee in all the franchisees. Conclusion The FWO inquiry was conducted particularly for figuring out if 7-Eleven had a part to play in the alleged employment record falsification and wage underpayment by the franchisees. It also looked for identifying and addressing the non-compliance drivers, the motivations along with the actions of the workplace participants. Its aim was to understand in a better way the roles of 7-Eleven, its franchises as well as its employees respectively in the culture and operating model of the network. It found that 7-Eleven did not take steps for rectifying this incorrect act of the franchisees despite having the sufficient reason to do so. Advantages were taken of the gaps in law by employing vulnerable international students in breach of their visa conditions. They were underpaid, exploited and threatened with deportation in case they complained. For avoiding such kind of exploitation in future and protecting the employee rights, a sustained effort is needed for which resources have to be alloca ted for a longer time period. A sustainable behaviour change has to be driven top down and the culture of compliance has to be rebuilt by a strong leadership as false record-keeping has apparently been ingrained within each and every aspect of the network. References Australian Government. (2016). A Report of the Fair Work Ombudmans Inquiry into 7- Eleven: Identifying and addressing the drivers of non-compliance in the 7-Eleven network . Australia: Australian Government. Australian Government. (2015 ). Fair Work Handbook. Retrieved August 31, 2016, from Fairwork Ombudsman: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/712/Fair-Work-Handbook.pdf.aspx Australian Government. (2016). Fair Work Obudsman: Statement of 7-Eleven. Retrieved August 31, 2016, from Australian Government: https://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media-releases/2016-media-releases/april-2016/20160409-7-eleven-presser Branley, A. (2015 ). 7-Eleven staff work twice as long at half pay rate, investigation reveals. ABC News . Briton, B. (2015 ). 7-Eleven scandal: The tip of a low-wage iceberg. Guardian (Sydney) . Cox, D. (2016 ). 7-Eleven wage scam: Union says it has evidence cash-back scheme is 'still alive and kicking'. ABC News . Hobday, L. (2016 ). 7-Eleven wage underpayment claims taking too long: Allan Fels. ABC News . Nunweek, J. (2015 ). Lessons from 7-Elevens scam. Overland Literary Journal . The Sydney Morning Herald. (2015). How 7 Eleven is Ripping off its workers.. The Sydney Morning Herald .

Comparative Analysis of Financial Statements Between Two Companies free essay sample

The company with lower ratio, Reed Elsevier in our case, has higher debt burden. Even though it was much lower than competitor’s ratio, Reed Elsevier does not have difficulties generating the necessary cash to pay its interest obligations. The consistency of earnings is tremendously important in this case. If the interest coverage ratio would be below 1. 0, it would signal that the business is having difficulties generating cash to cover its obligations. Net Income from Continuing Operation After all of the expenses are deducted, the company is left with a figure called net income from continuing operations. This is a calculation of the profit from its continuing operations generated during the period. If we look at net income from continuing operations of Reed Elsevier, we can see increase by 302m due to increase in finance income, and disposal and other non-operating items. Net income from continuing operating of Thompson Corporation has also increased by 184m due to considerable decrease in net interest expense and other financing costs. Gross Profit Margin Gross profit margin will help us to understand company’s manufacturing and distribution efficiency during the production process. Gross Profit divided byTotal Revenue Reed Elsevier: 4,322 / 6,693 = 0. 6 Thomson Corporation: 2,021 / 7,296 = 0. 3 Reed Elsevier has a higher profit margin than Thomson and therefore appears to be more efficient. However, the information for Thomson is not as accurate as it should as the amount for Cost of Sales includes marketing and administrative expenses. Operating Margin Lets look at yet another indicator of management’s efficiency in these two companies and that’s is operating margin. Operating margin for the Thompson Corporation: 1,297 / 7,296 = 0. 7 Operating margin for Reed Elsevier: 1,296 / 6,693 = 0. 19 The operating margin of Reed Elsevier is a little bit higher, which means the company has lower fixed costs and a better gross margin. It gives company’s management more flexibility in determining prices and also provides an added measure of safety during tough economic times. Interest coverage ratio To better understand company’s short-term financial health, we can calculate interest coverage ratio for each of these corporations: Thompson Corporation has the following ratio: 1,263 / 167 = 7. 5 Reed Elsevier: 1,388 / 203= 6. The interest coverage ratio of Reed Elsevier is lower than that of Thompson’s. The company with lower ratio, Reed Elsevier in our case, has higher debt burden. Even though it was much lower than competitor’s ratio, Reed Elsevier does not have difficulties generating the necessary cash to pay its interest obligations. The consistency of earnings is tremendously important in this case. If the interest coverage ratio would be below 1. 0, it would signal that the business is having difficulties generating cash to cover its obligations. Net Income from Continuing Operation After all of the expenses are deducted, the company is left with a figure called net income from continuing operations. This is a calculation of the profit from its continuing operations generated during the period. If we look at net income from continuing operations of Reed Elsevier, we can see increase by 302m due to increase in finance income, and disposal and other non-operating items. Net income from continuing operating of Thompson Corporation has also increased by 184m due to considerable decrease in net interest expense and other financing costs. Net Income from Discontinued Operations? The amount shown on the income statement under discontinued operations is the profit made during the period from the businesses that will not be a part of the company in the future. The net profit for the year of Reed Elsevier is higher almost by 50% due to the profit made from discontinued operations. The net profit of the Thompson Corporation has also grown by almost 4 times, which is also due mostly to the earnings from discontinued operations. Net Profit Margin Now let’s see how much profit a company makes for every $ 1 it generates in revenue. Profit margins vary by industry, but all else being equal, the higher a company’s profit margin compared to its competitors, the better. Reed Elsevier: 1,713 / 6,693= 0. 26 Thompson: 1,096 / 7,296 = 0. 15 Return on Equity (ROE) One of the most important profitability metrics is return on equity. Return on equity reveals how much profit a company earned in comparison to the total amount of shareholder equity. It’s what the shareholders â€Å"own†. A business that has a high return on equity is more likely to be one that is capable of generating cash internally. For the most part, the higher a company’s return on equity compared to its industry, the better. Let’s calculate ROE for Thomson: the earnings for 2007 were 4,004, and the average shareholder equity for the period is 13,571, thus ROE= 4,004 / 13,571 = 0. 29 ROE for the Reed Elsevier: the earning for 2007 were 1,713. The total shareholder equity for the period is 4,032, therefore the ROE = 1,713 / 4,032 = 0. 42 *** Cash flow statement As another major component of the financial statement, cash flow statement reflects the cash and cash equivalent flows of an entity. Here we observe the two companies’ cash flow statement in detail. On Reed Elsevier, the cash flow is shown as below, which indicates the cash sources and uses from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities. Cash Flow Statement – Reed Elsevier (Euro) By 31 December 2007, total net cash generated from operating activities amounted to 1,213m, after deducting tax and interest payments. However, the net cash from operating activities dropped by 93m against fiscal year 2006. We also see a positive status of cash flow as there was huge cash inflows of 2,674m from discontinued operations, resulting from selling off a major business segment of higher education (Harcourt Education). This facilitates the company’s focus on professional research field and also supports the company for further acquisition and development. With this additional source of cash, we have seen tremendous growth in the increase of cash and cash equivalents to 3,355m at the end of 2007. ### On Thomson Corporation: In the same Accounting period, total cash generated from operating activities in 2007 decreased by 309m, while at the same time, Thomson also made decisions on disposal of specific business units (law), thus generated huge amount of cash flows by 7,151m. In a similar scenario like Reed Elsevier, Thomson obtained tremendous amount of cash flow from disposal of business units, and we have good reasons to speculate the company will have big moves on acquisition or on investing. (Actual result: in 2008, Thomson acquired Reuters and strengthened its position in information industry. ) Cash Flow Statement – Thomson (US Dollars) Cash flow is a crucial financial indicator to show a company’s profitability and solvency. Lack of cash can be a big obstacle for the growth, but oversized cash flow can also be a burden if the company does not use it properly. *** Balance sheet Balance Sheet Reed Elsevier (Euro) Balance Sheet – Thomson (U. S dollars) The main purpose of balance sheet is to determine if a company is financially strong and economically efficient. Balance sheet tells us how much money the company has, how much it owes, and what is left for the stockholders. When looking at a company’s current assets, we need to pay special attention to the inventory. Inventory consists of merchandise that a company owns but has not sold. However, it can be sold in the near future, and can be turned into cash. But we also know that when inventory piles up, it faces two major risks. The first is the risks of obsolesce and another one is the risk of spoilage. Spoilage occurs when a product goes bad, this is a serious concern for companies that make or sell perishable goods. Since the companies in questions are providers of scientific, technical and medical information and solutions, it can not face the risk of spoilage however can be subjected to obsolesce, it actually loses value as time passes. Information provided by these companies needs to be constantly updated to keep up with technological advances. Thus, the faster a company sells its inventory, the smaller the risk of value loss. When we look at company’s balance sheet and make an informed decision about how much the inventory worth, we should base this decision on how fast the inventory is turned. We should divide current years cost of goods sold by average inventory for the period. Read Elsevier: 2371: ((368+943)/2) = 3. 6 It means Read Elsevier sells its entire inventory 3. 6 times a year. We do not know if it is a good indicator unless we compare it with the result for company’s competitor. Thompson Corporation has not inventory declared on its balance sheet. Reeds Elsevier clears its inventory 6. 3 times per year 365:6. = 101 days Working Capital Why do we need to know about working capital of a company? Because it reveals more about the financial condition of a business than almost any other calculation do. It tells us what would be left if a company raised all of its short-term resources, and used them to pay off its short term liabilities. The more working capital, the less financial str ain a company experiences. If company has enough working capital, we can clearly see if it has resources necessary to expand internally, or it has to turn to a bank for loan. Current assets – current liabilities= working capital Reed Elsevier: 5,570-5,260=310 Thomson: 9,678-3,239 = 6,439 Thomson’s working capital is much higher than the one of Reed Elsevier’s. Poor capital leads to financial pressure on a company borrowing and late payments to creditor. Current ratio Current ratio is another indicator of a company’s financial strength. It calculates how many dollars in assets are likely to be converted to cash within one year in order to pay debts that come due during the same year. Total current assets / total current liabilities = current ratio Reed Elsevier: 5,570 / 5,260 =1. 06 Thomson: 9,678 / 3,239 =2. 9 For most companies, 1. 5 is an acceptable current ratio. As the number approaches or falls below 1 (which means the company has a negative working capital), you will need to take a close look at the business and make sure there are no liquidity issues. Thomson has higher current ratio which reiterates its financial strength. *** Final thought All our calculations and observations i ndicate that both companies have no risk of bankruptcy. Reed Elsevier has acceptable current ratio, and Thomson’s current ratio is quite strong. Both companies have enough working capital. Even though both companies do not have financial issues, Thompson’s financial position appears to be stronger based on calculated ratios. Another interest trend we spotted is that both companies are working to repositioning, by disposing less profitable or strategically poor performing business units. With huge amount of cash at hand, both companies are looking for acquisitions to strengthen their competitiveness in respective fields. We should have enough reason to see future acquisitions or restructuring happening at the companies. Appendix Major Financial ratios Note: Due to the unavailability of some necessary data like share price at certain time, number of common shares at certain time, and tax rate, etc. , the ratios of P/E ratio, ROA are not available. ) 4Net income1713. 00 ROE (Return on shareholders euqity)0. 42 Net income4004. 00ROE (Return on shareholders euqity)0. 29 Shareholders equity4032. 00 Shareholders equity13571. 00 The shareholders equity in Reed is 4032 pound and the shareholders equity of Thomson is 13571 USD. If only compare these two numvers, it is obvious that Thomson shareholders investment is higher than Reeds.