The Creation And Collapse Of Unified German Empire

The period of one hundred years spanning from the mid-nineteenth century to the mid twentieth century was one hundred years of monumental change. It saw the end of American slavery, the creation and collapse of unified German Empire, the creation of Eastern European nation states that emerged from the wreckage of the Austro-Hungarian Empire only to fall to the Soviet Union within a few decades, two world wars, the invention of cars and their erasure of horses from everyday transportation, the development of nuclear weapons, and the novel concept of photographs become televisions in the home of the average American family. This period of radical change was made possible by men who saw the possibility of changing the world and perused it. Regimes fell, borders were redrawn, and from the ranks of revolutionaries the leaders who would create new orders rose. 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Business And Management As A Social Science - 1554 Words

ULMS 602 Business and Management as a Social Science Management School University of Liverpool Yaman Suryaman Introduction Philosophy and science are two words which interrelated subtantially as well as historically because philoshopy has a role in the existence of knowledge and development of knowledge also strengthen the existence of philoshopy. Science is divided to be two main subjects, natural science and social science. In this essay, I would like to explore the social science. This exploration of social science would be started by going back to the century ago to learn the history of social science philosophy itself. The terminology of philosophy has been recognized since Ancient Greek 2700 years ago (Turnbull, 2013). It is†¦show more content†¦In the last of my essay, I would like to relate the social science to my own research. Discussing philosophy of science is essential since it might encourage human to be more creative and innovative. It can give spirit for human to develop science and also moral value which lies in the knowledge. The Nature of Social Science We may start to ask the question about definition of social science. Many definitions of social science are available. Before we move to the definition of social science we need to understand the concept of social. According to Oxford English Dictionary (OED) online, states that social is relating to the society or it relates to organization. Social is recognized as relating to the human being life in a community and. As a social creature, every individual may have different attitude, character, and ways of life, perception and behaviour. We cannot state that the behaviour of certain person is right and the others are wrong. For example, Greeting to older person that we meet is the fact that can be said is true since if not it would be social problem where the society believe that the good young men are respect and greet to elder if they meet. Social science, defined as a study about human behaviour in groups and how is their interaction to society (OED). Social science consists of the discipline and systematic study of society and its institutions includes economics, psychology, anthropology, sociology, and political science. This study all

House Prices and Immigration Rates-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Discuss about the Relationship between House Prices and Immigration Rates. Answer: Introduction There is a direct relation between housing price rates and rates of immigration regardless of nationality. This project deals with a detailed literature review on the correlation of housing prices and immigration rates that has been prevalent over the countries across the globe. Change in economic scenario of different countries across the world with time also has a significant impact on the relationship of immigration and house prices. A detailed study of secondary research is provided in the following literature review. Project Objectives To critically evaluate the relationship between House price rates and immigration rates To investigate the factors influencing house price rates and immigration rates in different countries To determine the changes in demand and supply over the years; 2000-2010 and 2011-2017 respectively To produce a fruitful relation between the two factors with respect to change in country and time period Project Scope Scope of this project is to focus on the relationship of immigration rates and housing prices with the period of time across the globe. Demand and supply of houses has changed considerably in the past 20 years that has influenced the rates of houses. Depending on this immigration rate has also changed. This literature review critically helps the researcher to evaluate the relationship on housing price and immigration rates with respect to change in country and time period. Literature Review Introduction Impact of international migration and visa controlled immigration on prices of housing has been significant in the past two decades. This review of literature focuses on the data that highlights the effect and different parameters of immigration on local housing markets with respect to time and change of country from 2000 to 2017. Concerns regarding immigration have been highlighted along with the degree of rise in the both legal and illegal immigration rates. A strong relationship is prevalent between housing rates and immigration regardless of nationality. Demand of supply of housing in a particular country contributes to a sudden increase of population in that country majority of which are immigrants. This pulls up the price of housing and a relation between the factors are established. In this paper, correlation of immigrants and housing prices and consequent effect on one another are being discussed. Conceptual framework Figure 1: Conceptual framework (Source: Created by learner) Relationship between house prices and immigration rates In a local context, relationship between house prices and rates of migration is positively correlated when compared to the national context. As per the view of S (2014, p.1400), if immigration is resulting in increase in house price, it can be expected that local rate of migration will increase. As a result, a direct proportional relationship is prevalent between house price increase in a particular nation and rate of immigration in that particular area. Immigration level at a national level if increases considerably, automatically housing prices will be increased as the demand will be more. Wadsworth et al. (2016, p.50) applying the Theory of First Economics has stated that on rise of income of real household, significant enhancement of price of houses will definitely occur. There are certain additional factors in this context like price of compliments and price of substitutes that are mortgages and flats respectively. On the contrary, based on the findings of research, it has been seen that even if there is high demand of supply of housing, lack of immigration can cause a sharp downfall owing to the economic perspective of a country. For example, Shi et al. (2015, p. 19) in his article has stated that long term and permanent immigrants have contributed an annual average of 0.1%, when compared to a natural increase in population of 0.8% annually. However, marked variation in flows of migration over time has occurred, where 1% enhance in population by migration at a national level is related with 12.6% enhancement in prices of housing. As a result, it is acknowledged that interrelation between growth of house price and rate of high immigration is strong. (Refer to appendix 1) Countries Rate of immigration (in millions) Rate of housing price (increase in %) UK 248,000 5.83 New Zealand 71,000 2.8% Australia 189,770 7% US 133,000 6.2 % Germany 174,438 1.7% Table 1: Rates of immigration and housing price in 2016 (Source: Sloan and Sloan, 2017) Migrants are portrayed as the key determinants in inflation of house price rates contributing inflationary pressure to a nations economy. Rise in price of housing values enhances domestic consumption, consequently driving up the levels of domestic price. As per the opinion of Shi et al. (2015, p. 21), global financial crisis of 2007 in US was a prime evidence showing an unsustainable enhancement in house rates that was caused by subprime mortgages. At this time, a large number of immigrants have entered New Zealand. (Refer to appendix 2) On the contrary, it was not possible for the local housing markets to cope up with the rapid fluctuations. Gonzalez and Ortega (2013, p.41) supported this fact and stated that local housing markets were unable to adjust with the housing demand shocks in a short run, which affected long run economic growth if New Zealand. Relationship between house price and immigration rates change over countries Reduction in the rate of immigration is one of those few policies that is being left to drag in a national debate on demand, supply and affordability of housing. Housing prices are variable in different countries across the globe and effect of immigrants based on house prices in countries pose variable impact on countries depending on economic condition. Accetturo et al. (2014, p.51) in his article opined that average prices of house in Melbourne in 2016 was 10.8% whereas, that of Sydney was 10.3%. Such high values house prices has caused a major setback in the Darwin prices that has reduces to 1.5%, subsequently allowing divergence between prices of house and wages of people. Immigration in such economic scenario has caused Reserve Bank of Australia becoming much paralyzed. Focusing on New Economics Theory of migration, Bell et al. (2013, p.1281) stated that, decisions of migration in not only based on risk of income but also failure of credit market, insurance market or labor marke t. Australia was facing a major economic downturn in 2015-2016 and the local housing prices rose considerably. Consequently, natives of Australia were not been able to cope up with the individual utility of maximizing as unemployment rate was high. Demand and supply of housing prices was low at this economic context as economic downturn boosted migration. A large amount of immigrant population took place in this economic scenario, where demand of housing prices was low among the natives and supply rate was higher. Head et al. (2014, p.1189) informed that, immigration reached at its peak in 2013-2016, as people from other engaged in mass migration to Australia as natives faced an outflow of migration. This opposed the fact that employment and lower wage structure due to economic crisis have resulted in decrease in population of the country. Moreover, Tsai et al. (2015, p.135) supported this fact and stated that more than 200,000 dwellings were constructed per annum with every 1.6 extra people in current population rate contributed by immigrants. (Refer to appendix 3) In countries like UK, immigration has actually caused significant lowering of housing prices. Borjas (2014, p.4) in his article has highlighted that as a result of immigration, housing demand has enhanced as an exponential rate. As per this statistics, it has been evaluated that, within the next 20 years, housing prices can face a reduction of 10% with such exponential demand by the immigrants. On the contrary, new immigration has a significant effect in reducing the average local income of the nation. Consequently demand and supply of dwelling also decreases. Supporting this fact, Robertson and Rogers (2017, p.9) has highlighted the fact that migration outflow of 134,000 British and 206,000 non British population occurred in UK in 2016 thus lowering the nations average income. Subsequent lowering of house rates can be seen which had decreased from 9.3 % in June to 6.9% in October, 2016. (Theguardian.com, 2016) (Refer to appendix 4) A large number of entries of immigrants in Germany have initiated to affect property market of Germany. Demand of housing will rise exponentially with the more influx of immigrants, thus reducing housing supply, inevitably contributing in enhancement of price rising. As per the statement of Hyman (2014, p.12), 1% increase in population will result in 3.5% increase in housing prices in Germany. However, being a developed country, Government of Germany has decided to construct 350,000 dwelling per annum to support over 1 million immigrants who had arrived in the country in 2016. On the contrary, Greece is facing a major property slump and debt crisis, where the natives have faced a major economic crisis and were at the stake of handing their properties and assets to the state. Li and Chand (2013, p.151) opined that housing values in Greece had declined by 50% owing to the collapse of the property market. Consequently, relating to the extreme economic turmoil and instability prevalent in the country, government of Greece has decided to restrict immigration in order to pay off their debts and get economic stability within the nation. However Cortes (2008, p.412) said that, on restriction of immigration in Greece, demand and supply curve of housing will be flat as lack of immigration will not encourage demand in housing. (Refer to appendix 5) Research findings reveal that a steady flow of immigration is prevalent within the European continent that contributes in a consistent flow of prices of housing rates within the nations. Hatton and Tani (2005, p.63) reported that a number of immigrants from the developing or underdeveloped countries are constantly moving to the European countries in search of employment or to pursue higher studies. Therefore a consistent rise in housing prices which are prevalent in these areas. Moreover, a consistent increase of immigration adds to the population of these countries that allow the economic growth of the nation. Saiz (2007, p.351) stated that in 2016, a significant rise in the labor market of Europe has occurred in response to the influx of immigrant workers. Another factor that is associated with the influx of immigrants in Europe is the increase in capital market. All these combined results in increase the economic growth of the nation and dwelling being an important parameter also impacts a positive effect. Relationship between house price and immigration rates change over time 4.5.1 2000-2010 Rate of economy has changed at an exponential rate in the past 20 years and housing market has faced a revolutionary impact. For example, migration and immigration in New Zealand shows a significant fluctuation in the demand of houses and its prices. Benton?short (2005, p.950) in his article has stated that long term and permanent immigrants have contributed an annual average of 0.1%, when compared to a natural increase in population of 0.8% annually. However, opposing the fact of natural steady increase in the population of New Zealand, there are research evidences that shows marked variation in flows of migration over time. Hatton (2005, p.722) has stated that migration outflows in 1986 has a rough offset on natural increase, whereas in 2002-2003, rate of migration has added more to the population of the country than natural increase. 1% enhance in population by migration at a national level is related with 12.6% enhancement in the prices of housing. When the demand of a property at a particular place is high, prices naturally tends to increase. Reduction in housing demand for poor economic growth results in decrease in costs of houses. Wadsworth et al. (2016, p.50) has analysed the fact that UK during the Great Recession from 2007-2009, faced a major decrease in demand of properties and as a result there was an oversupply of houses. However, immigration rate reduced during this time and there was a massive migration outflow, which caused a sharp downfall of property values. (Refer to appendix 6) 4.5.2 2011-2017 Syria war has impacted a revolutionary effect on the level of immigration mainly in the European countries. As per the statistics highlighted by Bell et al. (2013, p.1280), about 13.5 million Syrian civilians were subjected to humanitarian assistance as a consequence of the war. Majority of the people migrated to the European countries from 2013 to 2015, where the number jumped from 296,000 to 932,000 (Nap.edu, 2017). Demand of housing reached a peak level in 2015, and a major undersupply of housing was faced. As per the law of demand and supply, there was a significant increase in the prices of houses as an ocean of immigrants had entered the European countries from 2013 till the recent times. Syrians have become the largest refugee population of the world, who has migrated in the neighboring European countries. Along with the increase in the immigration rate, house prices enhanced considerably, however, undersupply of dwelling caused a major hindrance in the habitat of the refugees . (Refer to appendix 7) On the contrary, as a consequence of Brexit, a huge impact was seen on the immigration population within the countries of Europe. The net immigration has reduced to 246,000 and Britains decision to leave European Union has resulted in a significant downfall of influx of migrants within the country (Asres.net, 2017). Along with other sectors, housing prices were equally affected as reduction of immigration resulted in a sharp decrease of price of dwelling as well as housing rents. In this way, demand and supply of house reached a lowest point after this incident in UK, since their rate of immigrants lessened. Literature gap The review of literature conducted above has portrayed the relation of immigration and housing prices and its effect on the economy has been analysed. However, there are some parameters that are not considered in the literature review. There was a major economic change in the past two decades, on which the housing market was dependent. However, on analyzing the effect on immigration on housing prices during 2000-2010, the major focus was on the Great recession of 2008. Economic scenario across the globe has been analysed thoroughly relating its impact on the housing prices. However, its impact on the rate of immigration has not been focused much and sufficient data were not gathered. Analyzing the impact of housing and immigration from 2010-2017, rate of immigration was mainly highlighted that caused as a consequence of the Syrian war. There was a significant economic downturn during this period which imposed a great affect on the demand and supply of houses and consequently rises of dwelling prices. A gap was created in this context, where most of the focus was given to the immigration and minimal data was gathered about the demand and rise of housing prices. Summary The above literature review focuses on the relation of immigration and housing prices and how do they complement each other. Sufficient evidences were provided in establishing the relationship of these two factors and their combined effect on the economy of a country. The individual effect of housing prices and immigration is also stated with the help of practical evidences and application of theories. Interrelationship between these two factors and their rates of changes over time and across the countries are also demonstrated. Reference List Accetturo, A., Manaresi, F., Mocetti, S. and Olivieri, E., (2014). Don't Stand so close to me: the urban impact of immigration.Regional Science and Urban Economics,45(9), pp.45-56. Asres.net. (2017).Australian Migration and Dwelling Prices Available from: https://www.asres.net/AsRES_Papers/asres2014_submission_47.pdf [Accessed on 12 Aug. 2017]. Bell, B., Fasani, F. and Machin, S., (2013). Crime and immigration: Evidence from large immigrant waves.Review of Economics and statistics,21(3), pp.1278-1290. Benton?short, l.i.s.a., Price, M.D. and Friedman, S., (2005). Globalization from below: the ranking of global immigrant cities.International Journal of Urban and Regional Research,29(4), pp.945-959. Borjas, G.J., (2014).Immigration economics. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Cortes, P., (2008). The effect of low-skilled immigration on US prices: evidence from CPI data.Journal of political Economy,116(3), pp.381-422. Gonzalez, L. and Ortega, F., (2013). Immigration and housing booms: Evidence from Spain.Journal of Regional Science,53(1), pp.37-59. Hatton, T.J. and Tani, M., (2005). Immigration and Inter?Regional Mobility in the UK, 19822000.The Economic Journal,115(507), pp.54-201. Hatton, T.J., (2005). Explaining trends in UK immigration.Journal of Population Economics,18(4), pp.719-740. Head, A., Lloyd-Ellis, H. and Sun, H., (2014). Search, liquidity, and the dynamics of house prices and construction.The American Economic Review,104(4), pp.1172-1210. Hyman, D.N., (2014).Public finance: A contemporary application of theory to policy. Boston: Cengage Learning. Li, Q. and Chand, S., (2013). House prices and market fundamentals in urban China.Habitat International,40(8), pp.148-153. Nap.edu. (2017).The Economic and Fiscal Consequences of Immigration. Available from: https://www.nap.edu/read/23550/chapter/8#166 [Accessed on 10 Aug. 2017]. Robertson, S. and Rogers, D., (2017). Education, real estate, immigration: brokerage assemblages and Asian mobilities.Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 8(4), pp.1-15. S, F., (2015). Immigration and House Prices in the UK.The Economic Journal,125(587), pp.1393-1424. Saiz, A., (2007). Immigration and housing rents in American cities.Journal of urban economics,61(2), pp.345-371. Shi, S., Jou, J.B. and Tripe, D., (2014). Can interest rates really control house prices? Effectiveness and implications for macroprudential policy.Journal of Banking Finance,47(77), pp.15-28. Sloan, J. and Sloan, J. (2017).Immigration key to house prices. Theaustralian.com.au. Available from: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/judith-sloan/immigration-rate-key-factor-in-housing-affordability/news-story/b6b466d95bc1ddfd0cfdb9427535fa4d [Accessed on 10 Aug. 2017]. Theguardian.com, (2016). Is immigration causing the UK housing crisis? Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/housing-network/2016/jan/25/is-immigration-causing-the-uk-housing-crisis Accessed on 10 Aug. 2017] Tsai, C.H.P., Mulley, C., Burke, M. and Yen, B., (2015). Exploring property value effects of ferry terminals: Evidence from Brisbane, Australia.Journal of Transport and Land Use,10(1), pp.98-140. Wadsworth, J., Dhingra, S., Ottaviano, G. and Van Reenen, J., (2016). Brexit and the Impact of Immigration on the UK.Centre for Economic Performance.LSE, 54(7), pp.34-53

Outsourcings Benefits in Management

Table of Contents Introduction Overview of Outsourcing Reasons for Outsourcing Levels of Outsourcing The Benefits of Outsourcing Conclusion Reference List Introduction Outsourcing is the act of transferring some of an organization’s recurring internal activities and decision rights to outside providers, as set forth in a contract. Because the activities are recurring and a contract is used, outsourcing goes beyond the use of consultants. In other words, outsourcing can be defined as the process of shifting tasks and services previously performed in-house to outside vendors. As a matter of practice, not only are the activities transferred, but the factors of production and decision rights often are, too.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Outsourcing’s Benefits in Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Factors of production are the resources that make the activities occur and include p eople, facilities, equipment, technology, and other assets. On the other hand, decision rights are the responsibilities for making decisions over certain elements of the activities transferred. This paper looks at the reasons why most organizations outsource and the growth of outsourcing from the tradition to modern organizations. It also looks at the different levels of outsourcing and concludes by giving some of the benefits of outsourcing. Overview of Outsourcing Outsourcing is a management practice that has been going on for many centuries. However, it has gained popularity in the recent past and organizations are attempting to think about it as a new practice. It has certainly changed in shape and has taken a different form, although the concept remains the same. Although primitive prehistoric villagers would not have understood some terms like core competencies, outsourcing, and increase in productivity, the benefits were real and it is these that lie at the heart of many of t he modern arguments referring to outsourcing. Modern organizations are nurtured by the outgrowth in division of labor meaning that organizations employ different individuals with different skills, competencies, and attributes. These individuals are hired to perform specific functions in the organization (Manning et al 2008). In the last century, few organizations had attempted to do everything themselves. There were always some products and services that came from outside suppliers and were never made in-house, and the boundaries between the two were flexible. Many diverse firms engage in intensive outsourcing. As outsourcing continues to grow in importance, its nature and focus is evolving. In the past, it is only the manufacturing industries that engaged in outsourcing but it has now been accepted in almost all industries including the service industry. It has also become a cross-national and global concept; for instance, it is estimated that about 40% of the entire automobile pro duced in North America came from the US, and much of this offshore supply is outsourced (Brown Wilson, 2005). The nature of outsourcing is diverse. Some firms now outsource core production activities so extensively that they no longer engage in production, as traditionally understood.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Inbound and outbound logistics are being extensively outsourced also. Some firms are extensively outsourcing secondary value-chain activities such as information technology, accounting systems, distribution, and aspects of human resources. Despite its increasing importance, many firms do not have a clear understanding of the benefits and costs part of its destiny in the hands of other firms that are seeking to maximize their profits. Thus, while outsourcing is often described as an alliance, the contracting parties inevitably have conflicting interests. The strategic objectives of outsourcing that decision makers should seek are to maximize the net benefits of outsourcing relative to the in-house provision of value-chain activities. In practice, this can often be simplified to minimizing the total costs of any given quantity and quality of outsourced good or activity. However, costs must be viewed comprehensively. Costs consist of expenditures for the good itself and the costs associated with governing the outsourced transaction. This raises a number of fundamental questions relating to governance costs (Noreen et al 2011). Reasons for Outsourcing There are many reasons why organizations choose to outsource other than rely on the resources available within them. One of such reasons is to enhance effectiveness by focusing on what one can do best. Other organizations outsource in order to increase flexibility so as to meet changing business conditions, demand for products or services, and advanced technologies. Other reasons include but are not limited to the following: Transform the organization Customer satisfaction and increasing the value of products as well as of the shareholders Improve management and control (Barrar Gervais, 2006). Acquire innovative ideas Improvement of operations Reduce investments in assets Gain market access and business opportunities through the provider’s network Expand production capacity and sales volume Reduce costs and increase benefits (Noreen et al 2011). Employee career development Increase commitment and energy in non-core areas Levels of Outsourcing There are different levels of outsourcing which occurs in different levels of activities. Most of the common levels are individual, functional, and process. Individual outsourcing involves moving specific positions out of the organization. This could be the management position of a poorly performing function or a technical position, such as, an intelligent analyst or an auditor. These positions are difficult to fill when turnover occurs and therefore it is advisable to outsource before an organization is able to find the appropriate person to fill such as a post. Individual outsourcing occurs when a person fails to perform the activities assigned to him at the desired performance level, or according to the organization’s expectation (Manning et al 2008). Almost all organizations are structured on a basis of functional cost with specialized knowledge and key responsibilities. Processes can be defined as the flow of products or services within an organization. A single process is generated by linking similar activities to create an output that satisfies a customer’s needs.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Outsourcing’s Benefits in Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Processes defer from one organization to the other and it is upon each organization to determine its own processes. There are many contractors in the world who earn their income through outsourcing. IBM is one of these contractors that have been doing well in the business of outsourcing. In 2003 IBM decided to outsource its expertise to Visteon an auto parts manufacturer. This contract was estimated to earn the company over two billion dollars in a period of ten years (Hechlinger, 2003). The Benefits of Outsourcing Some of the benefits expected from outsourcing by investors include the following: 1. Creation of value for shareholders 2. Reduction of production costs by taking advantage of external supplier’s lower costs 3. Improvement of the quality of input by purchasing some superior capability from external supplier If a firm could easily imitate the cost or capability advantage of outside suppliers, it could produce the activity in-house. The acquisition of superior capabilities can also be thought of in cost-saving terms. However, it is usual in the business strategy literature to analyze each activity on the value chain in terms of the firm’s ability to lower cost or to improve quality. The contractor or supplier also benefits from outsourcing in terms of increased revenue, which he can use to diversify his activities. For instance, in the case of IBM and Visteon contract, IBM was expected to make large sums of money and also become a widely known contractor (Hechlinger, 2003).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To ensure that outsourcing is a cost-effective strategy, the costs of outsourcing must be compared to the costs of internal production of the activity. Production costs are those directly generated by the opportunity costs of the resources used to produce the good. There are a number of production cost rationales for outsourcing. The most basic is that internal production of the activity entails production at levels that are too low to be efficient, that is, to achieve minimum efficient scale. Many goods and services for which the organization has low unit demand exhibit significant cost lumpiness (Barrar Gervais, 2006). Just as a supplier can bring services to a locale within ones country, it can also bring one to new markets on other continents because of its global locations. The more places in the world a company can provide such presence the more opportunities one has to grow his global customer base. When considering a potential outsourcing in hopes of advancing into new mark ets, one has to make to determine the cost benefits of such endeavors. An estimate of potential revenue that would be received in the new capabilities has to be made and such estimate has to be reasonable. The estimated revenue has to be compared to the prices from suppliers in order to determine whether the new capabilities are cost effective. If a particular company is interested in going global, it has to look for suppliers who have the capabilities to take the company there. In order for the company to compete in the global market, it has to be available globally. Some facility labor relations conditions permit the use of in-house mechanics that are not bound by trade or craft union jurisdictional lines in performing operations and maintenance work. Contractors by and large, follow trade and craft union jurisdictional lines, hired by contractors are not better than those recruited for the facility’s in-house workforce. They lack the specific experience that the regular em ployees acquire in time at the facility, but they often compensate for this by bringing a greater breadth of experience to the job (Noreen et al 2011). Conclusion This paper has given a brief overview of outsourcing; what is meant by the term outsourcing, its growth, and how modern organizations are relying on outsourcing for most of their operations. It has also looked at the different levels of outsourcing and the good about this process to both the organization and the contractor. Outsourcing can deliver significant economies of scale by using standardized procedures and leading edge technology. Suppliers can perform finance and administration functions far more cheaply and efficiently than companies working on their own. This could include reduction in working capital, improvements in tax efficiency, and avoidance of capital expenditure. The services are also provided at an agreed cost which should also lead to a more accurate prediction of costs, and therefore more accurate bud getary control. A specialist provider can bring best practice and new investment in resources. Outsourcing financial operations can encourage business to be more innovative and focused on value creation. Reference List Barrar, P. Gervais, R. (2006). Global Outsourcing Strategies: An International Reference on Effective Outsourcing Relationships. Burlington: Gower Publishing Ltd. Brown D. Wilson S. (2005). The Black Book of Outsourcing: How to Manage The Changes, Challenges, And Opportunities. New Jersey: John Wiley and Sons Hechlinger, J. (2003, February 12). IBM Gets $2 Billion Outsourcing Job — Most Computer Operations Of Visteon To Be Taken Over As It Diversifies From Ford. The Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), B3. Manning et al. (2008). A Dynamic Perspective on Next-Generation Off shoring: The Global Sourcing of Science and Engineering Talent Academy of Management Perspectives 22.3: 35-54. Noreen, E. W., Brewer, P. B., Garrison R. H. (2011). Managerial Accounting f or Managers (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill. This research paper on Outsourcing’s Benefits in Management was written and submitted by user Artur0 to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Manage your boss’s schedule like a pro

Manage your boss’s schedule like a pro When you’re a personal assistant, scheduling your boss’ day to run as smoothly as possible is an integral part of your job. A great assistant ensures that the flow of appointments and meetings make sense and leaves enough time to accomplish quality work on all projects.Here are some key strategies for managing two schedules: your bosss and your own.Share a calendar.If youre still maintaining separate work calendars, youre making life unnecessarily complicated. Use a program like Google Calendar to get you and your bosss appointments, meetings, and days off on one shared, living document. There, you both can add, edit, and sync things seamlessly so no events through the cracks. Shell know when youre out for a dentist appointment and wont wonder where you are, and youll know that shes working from home on Friday so you wont schedule any in-person meetings. When you meet with your boss, make sure to ask about the following weeks obligations and update your shared calendar as needed.Leave space every day.Scheduling effectively is not just about making sure every meeting and phone call fits into the day. It’s also about leaving chunks of dedicated time for your boss to do what he or she needs to accomplish- or even what he may have to do. Try not to book anything back-to-back without giving him a breather. Allow her some dedicated work time to actually get things done.Dont double book.Double booking obligations just leads to unnecessary stress and occasional embarrassment for both your boss and you. Don’t do it. If you accidentally say yes to a meeting and find out theres something else slotted for the time, reschedule right away with apologies.Be the weather/traffic person.If your boss has off-site meetings, make sure to map out routes to unfamiliar places. Keep an eye on traffic reports to avoid any unseen delays or catastrophes. Keep an eye on the weather report too, since storms will affect both what your boss wears and how fast sheâ €™s able to get where she needs to go.Keep an eye on the clock.You may have scheduled a meeting to fit within a specific time window, but meetings can easily go over time when people dont stick to an agenda.Be mindful of the clock to ensure that a meeting never runs late or bleeds into the next scheduled task. Don’t let your boss get sidetracked by an overly chatty appointment. Its your job to remind him that he has another appointment or task on the docket.If a particularly important meeting cannot be halted so easily, snap into action to reconfigure the rest of the day. Figure out what other entries on the schedule can be moved around or even canceled to avoid wasting a minute of anyone’s time.Leave time for lunch.Getting the day’s work done may come first on any schedule, but you need to keep your tanks well-fueled to get you and your boss through your busy day. That means leaving some time in the schedule for a proper lunch. Ask your boss at what time of day she prefers to eat, and then block off at least 30 minutes in your shared calendar where she cant be disturbed. Ideally, youll take your lunch break during this same window.Find a system that works for both of you.Make sure you get a sense of how your boss likes to prioritize duties and structure his day. If you ever have a question about which obligation is more important, just ask. Eventually, you’ll develop a shorthand for working with each other that will keep both of you on schedule.

Accommodations for Students With Special Needs

Accommodations for Students With Special Needs Rarely are there specific lesson plans for special education. Teachers take existing lesson plans and provide either accommodations or modifications to enable the student with special needs to have optimum success. This tip sheet will focus on four areas where one can make special accommodations to support special needs students in the inclusive classroom. Those four areas include: 1.) Instructional Materials 2.) Vocabulary 2.) Lesson Content 4.) Assessment Instructional Materials Are the materials you select for the instruction conducive to meeting the child(ren) with special needs?Can they see, hear, or touch the materials to maximize learning?Are the instructional materials selected with all of the students in mind?What are your visuals and are they appropriate for all?What will you use to demonstrate or simulate the learning concept?What other hands-on materials can you use to ensure that the students with needs will understand learning concepts?If you are using overheads, are there extra copies for students who need to see it closer or have it repeated?Does the student have a peer that will help? Vocabulary Do the students understand the vocabulary necessary for the specific concept you are going to teach?Is there a need to focus first on the vocabulary prior to starting the lesson?How will you introduce the new vocabulary to the students?What will your overview look like?How will your overview engage the students? Lesson Content Does your lesson focus completely on the content, does what the students do extend or lead them to new learning? (Wordsearch activities rarely lead to any learning)What will ensure that the students are engaged?What type of review will be necessary?How will you ensure that students are understanding?Have you built in time for a breakout or change in activity?Many children have difficulty sustaining attention for lengthy periods of time. Have you maximized assistive technology where appropriate for specific students?Do the students have an element in choice for the learning activities?Have you addressed the multiple learning styles?Do you need to teach the student specific learning skills for the lesson? (How to stay on task, how to keep organized, how to get help when stuck etc).What strategies are in place to help re-focus the child, continue to build self-esteem and prevent the child from being overwhelmed? Assessment Do you have alternate means of assessment for students with special needs (word processors, oral or taped feedback)?Do they have a longer timeline?Have you provided checklists, graphic organizers, or/and outlines?Does the child have reduced quantities? In Summary Overall, this may seem like a lot of questions to ask yourself to ensure that all students have maximized learning opportunities. However, once you get into the habit of this type of reflection as you plan each learning experience, you will soon be a pro at ensuring the inclusional classroom works as best as it can to meet your diverse group of students. Always remember that no two students learn the same, be patient, and continue to differentiate both instruction and assessment as much as possible.

Address an economic issue of current interest to WSJ readers Assignment

Address an economic issue of current interest to WSJ readers - Assignment Example This is a considerable drop, when compared the previous year’s estimate of 12%. This has also caused new home building to slow down which directly affects economic growth. Besides, the effect of this drop to the economy, those planning to buy new homes may have a smile as the pressure on home prices is expected to ease up with a notable drop of 1.2% compared to the same period in 2013. After reading the article, I would like to share few ideas that crossed my mind concerning what the editor states about economic growth and the real reasons behind this drop. For a start, I believe there are various reasons that are responsible for this drop and severe weather and rising mortgage is only a fraction of these reasons. As it is a trend, new homes only account for 10% of all home sales; therefore, a drop in sales for home sales does not necessarily mean that homebuyers have slowed down. This means that, despite the severe weather conditions and rising mortgage, new home sales could have gone down after losing potential buyers to older house sales. An article in 2013 by Cho highlighted that Shadow Inventory held by the GSEs and US-HUD largely outnumbered REO. This shows there is a large supply of homes that could come to market and sustain the current demand, leaving little room for new homes. In support of this opinion, another article by Gundlach specifies that the hou sing market is soft and has been significantly slowed down by the aging pool of loans in the foreclosure process. The forecast done by National Association for Business Economics on this year’s housing investment is a valid reason that, despite the severe weather conditions, new home ownership will still experience slow growth perhaps, the rise in mortgage being a more viable reason. Other significant factor in the drop, in new home ownership, is the increasing cost of

Requirements for Admissible Statements Analysis Case Study - 1

Requirements for Admissible Statements Analysis - Case Study Example Illinois', Danny Escobedo, a 22 year-old young man, was accused for the murder of his brother-in-law. The incident happened at the night of 19th January, 1960 when the victim was fatally shot. After few hours Escobedo was arrested without a warrant and taken to custody for interrogation. Escobedo made no statements to police and he was released in the afternoon when his lawyer pursued writ of habeas corpus to the state court with the appeal of releasing his client as according to him there were no sufficient evidences against his client. But Escobedo was again arrested along with his sister on January 30, on the basis of the statement of Benedict DiGerlando who was another suspect of the murder. Benedict DiGerlando stated to police that Escobedo shot his brother-in-law causing his death. Police handcuffed Escobedo while taking him to police station and threatened him by saying that they have enough proof of his crime and it will be better for him to confess. According to the Fifth Am endment of the United States Constitution, nobody can be forced to be witness against himself in any criminal case but this rule was violated in case of Escobedo. Even, when Escobedo requested to consult with his attorney, his request was rejected. The attempt from Escobedo's attorney to see his client was also rejected by police. Again it was the violation of Sixth Amendment of U.S. Constitution as it states that, the suspected person has the right to enjoy legal assistance in all criminal prosecution. Finally, Escobedo confessed the crime and based on that he was found guilty of the murder. He appealed in the Illinois Supreme Court to reconsider his conviction. But it was rejected and then he approached to the U.S. Supreme Court. Supreme Court's decision went with Escobedo and his conviction was overturned by declaring his confession statement as inadmissible. In the second case 'Miranda v. Arizona', Ernesto Arturo Miranda, was accused in two cases one is robbery and the other is attempt to rape. He was arrested on March, 1963. In the attempt to rape case, the victim identified Miranda as the attacker. He also confessed the fact during police interrogation. The court appointed attorney of Miranda, John J. Flynn, tried to defend the accused by highlighting two points. First point was the instability in the story stated by the victim in the attempt to rape case and the second point was the confession of Miranda during police interrogation without any legal advice from any lawyer. But the Arizona Supreme Court convicted Miranda a 20-30 years imprisonment for the punishment of both cases by overruling all objections of his lawyer. But an appeal to the U.S. S

Ict Procurement Trends in the Uk Essay Example for Free

Ict Procurement Trends in the Uk Essay This report presents the findings from a survey of 136 UK enterprises regarding their approach to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) procurement. The survey investigates the way that UK enterprises like to purchase technology, as well as the major IT and business objectives influencing their IT investment strategies. Introduction and Landscape Why was the report written? To highlight the criteria on which UK enterprises select their IT providers as well as the roles which have influence while making IT purchasing decisions. What is the current market landscape and what is changing? UK enterprises are set to increase their IT spending in 2013. Kables survey shows that ICT spending in the UK is being driven by investments in core technology areas such as security, enterprise applications, IT systems management, and content management. What are the key drivers behind recent market changes? With enterprises being continuously exposed to malicious attacks on their business critical information, the demand for security solutions is growing. What makes this report unique and essential to read? Kable Global ICT Intelligence has invested significant resources in order to interview CIOs and IT managers about their IT Procurement. Very few IT analyst houses will have interviewed 130+ ICT decision makers in the UK market in H2 2012. Key Features and Benefits Provides insights into UK enterprises preferred buying approaches. Comprehend the business objectives that UK enterprises are looking to achieve through their IT investment strategy. Appreciate the IT objectives that UK enterprises are looking to achieve through their IT investment strategy. Understand the factors that are influencing UK enterprises decision to select an ICT provider. Understand which organisational roles influence IT purchasing decisions and signing off budgets. Key Market Issues Despite the uncertain economic conditions across Europe and the UK governments large scale austerity measures which have impacted public sector ICT spend, the vast majority of respondents from Kables survey indicate that their IT budgets will remain at the same level or will increase in 2013. With regards to the authority over signing off budgets, UK enterprises surprisingly give an equal rating to CEOs, CFOs, and CIOs. UK enterprises rate Improve supplier relationships with an average rating of X, indicating that enterprises focus is weighted more to their own operations, followed by their customers, amidst the difficult global economic outlook. Investments in cloud computing are expected to grow with the penetration of this technology increasing from the current level of X% to Y% in the next twenty-four months, driven by factors such as lowering cost and complexity, and ease of use. According to Kables survey, X% of enterprises have a somewhat complex ICT infrastructure with several hardware manufacturers, operating systems, databases, applications, and other elements. Key Highlights Although on-premise deployment is favoured, the demand for hosted applications is also gaining traction, as enterprises are continuously focused on reducing costs in the current economic climate. Raising efficiency is a primary business objective influencing IT investment strategy amongst UK enterprises with the highest rating of X on a scale of 1 to 4. The recent survey reveals X% of enterprises have rated the objective of meeting internal service level agreements as a highest priority. With an average rating of X on a scale of 1 to 4, UK enterprises consider Financial stability and Price to be the most important criteria in choosing an IT solutions provider. UK enterprises rate the CIO/IT department as the most influential authority when making IT purchasing decisions, with the highest average rating of X on a scale of 1 to 4.

Making Funeral Speeches More Dramatic in Julius Caesar :: William Shakespeare Julius Caesar Essays

Making Funeral Speeches More Dramatic in Julius Caesar As every schoolboy knows, Shakespeare’s play of Julius Caesar isn’t a play based on reality but is a play about ‘Was Brutus right to kill his beloved Caesar?’ Therefore, the funeral speeches were written to allow Brutus a chance to prove that he was right to kill Julius Caesar whereas it also gives Antony the opportunity to convince the Plebeians how it was wrong to assassinate Julius Caesar. For these speeches to become livelier and not dull, this scene will be changed into a thrilling play for the spectators to watch and enjoy! Firstly, the Roman-set play has the stage picture of fruits and used objects scattered all over the floors of the closed down markets to mourn Julius Caesar’s death (in other words an excuse for a holiday)! There is an elevated rectangular area in the middle of the stage and there also is a door to the elevated area. The Patricians (Antony and Brutus) have to open this door and go up a small flight of stairs to reach the top of this raised section. Here everyone all around them will see them. A red striped toga clothes these Patricians whereas the civil servants are wearing green striped togas. Dirty rags to show the audience what they earned from their worthless jobs are clothing the Plebeians. A balcony is used for speculation of the play. This is where a few Plebeians mix with the audience along with a few civil servants blending into the crowd of watchers. All of the Plebeians and the civil servants have a major role to play in the external part of the play, which shall be explained later. The stage is covered in debris and Plebeians are also scattered between and outside all four corners of the stage. Secondly, the properties, which are probably the most important aspects of this attractive scene, include a large proportion of Antony’s properties. However, Brutus doesn’t have any properties. In addition to these, there are also visuals and music. Antony’s assets are inclusive of: - 1) The Will- of Julius Caesar 2) The Corpse of Julius Caesar- that is put on the front of the raised rectangular area to create trepidation in the weak hearts of the gullible Plebeians. So as to cause more perturbation in the Plebeians hearts, the bayonet that Julius Caesar was killed by is laid by the corpse pointing vertically downwards. As for the music, an hautboy (oboe) is heard playing swiftly in the background- but not disrupting the funeral speeches. Ultimately, there is a spotlight shining up from beneath the orator’s feet and its

The Role of Literature in Cultural and Society Development

Jibran Khalil Jibran once said, â€Å"All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind. † It is in everyone, it’s locked away, hidden and for the gifted, it comes out to give us the very languages we are using today. Literature, like music and film and theatre, is an art. As a matter of fact the purest form of art. Life, for many if not all, in scales that vary is pretty much the same journey measured by experiences, fortune, luck and love. We cannot all express them in a poetic or artistic manner but we all experience them nonetheless. Most of us go through this wicked and unmerciful thing called life without ever being able to express those fortunate moments and hardships to others and more importantly to ourselves. We have reached an age where generations no longer pay mind to literature in a direct and hands on way. The new generation, including myself, doesn’t explore the poet within, as cliche as this may sound. Speeches from our presidents and world leaders don’t sound like they were fabricated from something real. They were written by politicians and campaign specialists whose aim is to shock and awe, but sadly with facts and numbers, not with the humane and sentimental approach for which speeches and words were meant. The role of literature in society is to help enhance our way of thinking and perceiving our surroundings. It heightens our level of expression and speaking. You simply become that much more articulate and creative! Almost every book or novel that we read results in a push to our perception of life. In Milton Albrecht's â€Å"The Relationship of Literature and Society†, he adequately states that literature â€Å"reflects† society; its supposed converse is that literature influences or â€Å"shapes† society. On a daily basis we come across some kind of literary event. Something you could write a poem about, maybe even a book. More often than not they are overlooked, but it’s the creative minds that will always seize these moments and grant us the literature that will always help us relate. We live in a world where we desperately need a lifeline or a beacon that will always remind us that we are not robots or corporate machines. We live in a world where people want to escape their daily responsibilities and commitments to something more heartfelt. We live in a world where we absolutely and undeniably need literature! While it is physically written in words, these words come alive in the imagination of the mind, and its ability to comprehend the complexity or simplicity of the text. Literature enables people to see through the lenses of others, and sometimes even inanimate objects; therefore, it becomes a looking glass into the world as others view it. Like Thomas Edison came up with electricity, like Alexander Graham Bell gave us the telephone and like Mark Zuckerberg invented FACEBOOK, literature perhaps started with man discovering his ability to create. When this happened he realized that he could not only express his emotions in writing but in the process deliver messages of import to society carefully hidden in beautiful and crafted words. He decided that he could play with words to entertain and captivate people who would read them. In the olden days distance was of course a problem and so maintaining a history of world literature was impossible. People in different parts of the world, using different languages and writing in different periods of time tackled literature differently. This has left us with books and creations that enrich our society and our heritage as a race. Even the most voracious reader can never hope to read all the books out there. There must be a reason for that, shouldn’t there? I mean many customs and cultures have withered over the centuries, many habits and arts have withdrawn into the abyss. But not literature! Literature inspires whole nations to rebel and change. This is the power of literature. It shapes, it moulds and in the process entertains. It helps us learn about human nature in all its foibles and greatness; it lets us learn about the human past and our own pasts, and about other cultures. When we discover literature we can travel to any place at any time, even to the future, and see how others view the same world. It helps people get an in-depth view of life in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s the writer’s or someone else’s, may it be fiction or based on real life experiences. Whatever the case may be, reading a book, for instance, can put you in a totally different world, so foreign to you that you are bound to learn something from. Reading, in my opinion, affects you on a much more personal level than watching a movie, therefore, after reading a book or any other piece of literature, the reader gains something which in turn he or she will inevitably bring into society whether it is a point-of-view, a new outlook or simply added knowledge or information. That person will carry what he/she learned on with them for years to come or probably forever and will most likely pass it on to other people and they in time will also pass n that newly acquired â€Å"crumb† of knowledge, causing a chain reaction of knowledge, if you will. After all, knowledge is one of the very few things that can never be taken away from you, and once anything is learned it inexorably triggers a change in that person, small or big, good or bad, that change will unavoidably occur and be brought with that person into society affecting how he or she would choose to converse with and/or treat others, how they would react to and handle cert ain situations and possibly the basis of their decision-making. All of these things, in one way or another will most definitely have an impact on society as a whole and on its individual units. Literature and writing, though obviously connected, are not synonymous. Several pieces of literature that left a mark on our culture and society were passed down through oral tradition before they were ever fixed in written form. Take Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey that was dated all the way back to the late Bronze Age and handed down through different cultures by oral tradition before ever taking a written form. Regardless of the form that literature may take, whether it’s in form of a novel or poem, movie or music, or just a simple oral form, it is undeniable that it bares several advantages for the person that actually takes the time to understand and appreciate it and eventually share it with others. You know? I may not be the most suitable person to be giving this speech or preaching about the importance of literature. I may not have experienced the true hardships and joys of life. But one thing I believe is that no matter when I express this importance, be it today or in 50 years after life has taken its toll on me, it will always be true. Novels, books, words and literature are here to forever and always shake the very foundation of our world. To shake us, rattle us in hopes that those crumbs that Jibran spoke of would fall into a page and form future cultures and societies to come. People nowadays, including myself sometimes, can be so apathetic and indifferent to our society and its people and oblivious to the fact that literature and education in general is a tool that can change that apathy and help shape us to become more well-rounded individuals that are somewhat free of the ignorance that can so easily destroy us without us even knowing it. The sad but apparent truth is that people these days don’t give reading and literature their just significance, most people probably never will, maybe it’s because of all the available distractions such as social networking and he like. The only solution for this problem is for previous generations to enlighten this generation on the importance of literature and how it can affect our society instead of constantly criticizing it. In the end, the people that criticize our generation forget who raised it, but that’s a different issue for a different time. I cannot be emphatic enough when stressing the importance of literature and reading and the rewards they so inconspicuously possess. After all, the famous author Mark Twain once said, â€Å"The man who does not read books has no advantage over the man that cannot read them. †

Paradigm Shifts of Church History Essay

As described by Bosch in his foreword he talks about the title as ambiguous. â€Å"Transforming† can be an adjective used to describe â€Å"mission†. Mission can be understood as not the enterprise that transforms reality, but something that is itself being transformed. Let’s now look at the first paradigm shift. 1. Primitive Christianity †¦. go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. â€Å"[2] The great commission has to be taken into account with the rest of Matthew’s gospel where we see the â€Å"road† of mission to the gentiles is open. The Mission of Jesus was to breakdown boundaries and to include all, even those who were seen as enemies. God invites all and it is those who respond that are accepted. Early Christian mission was focused only on the Jews. Mission to the gentiles came as a spin-off mission. Early Christian mission involved the person of Jesus and it was political and revolutionary. The revolutionary aspect was seen in the new relationships it brought among Jews, Greek, free, slave, rich, poor, women etc. The early church had to seal their witness (martyria) with their blood; â€Å"Martyrdom and Mission† says Hans von Campenhaussen â€Å"belonged together†. [3] 2. The Patristic Period (The Eastern Church) Mission in the Patristic (first fathers) period is thoroughly church centered which means that the church is the aim; the fulfillment of the Gospel, rather than the instrument or means of mission[4]. In Orthodox thinking, mission is the place of liturgy (public worship). A witnessing community is a community of worshippers. Also Orthodox mission is founded on the love of God as seen in John 3:16. The church began to progress too, the apostles and itinerant preachers were replaced by bishops and deacons and later too was the monastic movement (which was the practice of renouncing worldly pursuits to fully devote one’s self to spiritual work). Mission to the non-Roman Asia spread mainly by the Nestorian monastic orders (who emphasized the disunion between the human and divine natures of Jesus). In 1054 the great schism took place between the Eastern and Western church. This was the beginning of the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church. Constantine moved the headquarters of the Empire from Rome to Constantinople and the church began to compromise with the state politically. The church became secularised and Salvation was a gradual progress that leads to the divine. 3. The Medieval Roman Catholic Period â€Å"Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. [5] Where the early church took its missionary text from John 3:16 talking about the love of God, the Roman Catholic Church had the focus of ‘compelling them to come in’. They argued that there was no salvation outside the formal membership of the RC Church. The Roman Empire had become linked to the RC Church. The Catholic Church became extremely influential over the State and loyalty to the state meant being loyal to the church. Islam became increasingly popular in the East leading to the capture of Constantinople in 1453. Pope Alexander VI divided the colonized world into two for mission purposes. One was under the King of Spain and the other under the King of Portugal. The mission of the church was linked to the mission of the state. They sent Missionaries to the colonized territories. Europe was broadly seen as Christian and therefore no real need for evangelism. The monastic movement may have been the reason was so much authentic Christianity evolved in Europe’s ‘dark ages’. Reformation Period (the Protestant Paradigm) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 6] Martin Luther had a realization that God’s righteousness did not mean God’s punishment and wrath, but his gift of grace and mercy in which anyone could be saved. Bosch noted that the Protestant missionary paradigm tended to vary from various extremes. Bosch shows that although the idea of mission was there among the Protestants, their involvement was limited. This was due to; (a) their primary task was to reform the church; (b) contact with non-Christians was little (c) they were struggling to survive; (d) denial of the monastic orders meant they denied themselves access to important services and (e) their own internal struggles. Luther’s reformation made little sense of this world, Calvinism in Holland (developed Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith) and Puritanism in England (the Protestant church regarded the Reformation of the Church of England as incomplete and sought to simplify and regulate forms of worship) did. Bosch then refers to Gisbertus Voetius’s threefold model of the theology of mission. He sees these dimensions as; (a) conversion of the Gentiles (b) planting of the church and (c) the glory and manifestation of divine grace (he saw the churches of old and new standing as equal)[7]. Enlightenment Period Mission during this period was diverse and multifaceted than ever before. The change from medieval to enlightenment thinking made the supernatural redundant and the natural attracted more attention. God, the church and the nobles were no longer revered, but nature was. This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. [8] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 9] Then Jesus came to them and said, â€Å"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. â€Å"[10] During this period as you can see from the scriptures above, the main sense of mission was the urgency o f the coming of the new millennium. The modern missionary enterprise has been greatly influenced by the enlightenment’s concept of ecclesiastical and cultural expansion. These were in the church and state. Colonisation and Christianisation went together, and were two sides of the same coin. Later, during the enlightenment the two went onto separate paths, forces of renewal and the second awakening. 6. Ecumenical Period The church turned from being an institution to being the body of Christ with its outlook on mission being revitalized and seen afresh. Missionary conferences began to emerge as Bosch referring to Gunther; â€Å"ecclesiological reflections of missionary conferences from Edinburgh 1910 to Mexico City in 1963†[11]. The ‘Missio Dei† concept first surfaced in 1952 at the Willingen Conference[12]. The idea of God as a missionary God[13]. Mission as stated by Bosch is as follows; meditating salvation; the quest for justice; evangelism; contextualization, liberation, inculturation; common witness; ministry by the holy people of God, witness to people of other living faiths; and as action in hope. Bosch looks at the life of Jesus with what we can learn for mission today.

Free Essays on O Pioneers

During the middle to late 1800’s, thousands upon thousands of Americans, as well as foreigners, flocked to the mid-western part of the United States. They flocked to this area hoping to gain free or cheap land promised to them by the United States Government. Most of the â€Å"pioneers† left cities and factory jobs to venture out into the American prairies and become farmers. They left their homes, not only because the land was either free or cheap, but also because they wanted to leave the hardships of city life. However, as most would find out, prairie life had its’ share of hardships, that far out-reached the hardships of city life. Among these hardships were the death of siblings and friends due to starvation and/or hard work. Pioneers also had to face the stresses and burdens of trying to make a living off of the land. Along with these stress’s, they had to worry about how to make money off of the land. All of these hardships, as well as others, were portrayed in Willa Cather’s â€Å"O’ Pioneers†. In the beginning of the novel, we meet the Bergson family. As one reads the beginning chapters of the novel, one learns that the Bergson family has dealt with an awful toll on the family. They lost two children in between the births of Lou and Oscar. Not only did they lose two children, who they surely loved dearly, they lost a herd of cattle to a blizzard. They lost a very important plowing horse to a broken leg. They lost their hogs due to cholera. They also lost an important breeding stallion. All of these hardships occurred within a relatively short time of eleven years. Then at the end of chapter two, the Bergson’s lost the head of their family in John. With the loss of the father, the family had to undertake the stresses and burdens of supporting themselves. As one reads the remainder of the novel, one learns that the Bergson’s lost their friends in Marie, their own family member in Emil, and an other friend in Amedee. Af... Free Essays on O Pioneers Free Essays on O Pioneers During the middle to late 1800’s, thousands upon thousands of Americans, as well as foreigners, flocked to the mid-western part of the United States. They flocked to this area hoping to gain free or cheap land promised to them by the United States Government. Most of the â€Å"pioneers† left cities and factory jobs to venture out into the American prairies and become farmers. They left their homes, not only because the land was either free or cheap, but also because they wanted to leave the hardships of city life. However, as most would find out, prairie life had its’ share of hardships, that far out-reached the hardships of city life. Among these hardships were the death of siblings and friends due to starvation and/or hard work. Pioneers also had to face the stresses and burdens of trying to make a living off of the land. Along with these stress’s, they had to worry about how to make money off of the land. All of these hardships, as well as others, were portrayed in Willa Cather’s â€Å"O’ Pioneers†. In the beginning of the novel, we meet the Bergson family. As one reads the beginning chapters of the novel, one learns that the Bergson family has dealt with an awful toll on the family. They lost two children in between the births of Lou and Oscar. Not only did they lose two children, who they surely loved dearly, they lost a herd of cattle to a blizzard. They lost a very important plowing horse to a broken leg. They lost their hogs due to cholera. They also lost an important breeding stallion. All of these hardships occurred within a relatively short time of eleven years. Then at the end of chapter two, the Bergson’s lost the head of their family in John. With the loss of the father, the family had to undertake the stresses and burdens of supporting themselves. As one reads the remainder of the novel, one learns that the Bergson’s lost their friends in Marie, their own family member in Emil, and an other friend in Amedee. Af...

Space Junk Danger

Space Junk Danger Earth doesnt orbit the Sun alone. Of course, there are the other planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. But, in near-Earth space, our planet is accompanied by a LOT of space junk left over from launched vehicles. Does it pose a danger? In some cases, it does. In the movie Gravity, a group of astronauts finds out first-hand what it might be like for space  explorers to run into an orbiting bit of space debris. The results are not good, although at least one  astronaut makes it through safely. When it came out, the movie has generated a lot of discussion among space experts  about its accuracy in some places, but the general story highlights a growing problem that we dont often think about here on Earth (and probably should): space junk returning home.   What Goes Up often Comes Down Theres a cloud of space debris around Earth that planners have to deal with as they set schedules for rocket launches and low-Earth missions. Most of the material out there eventually comes back to Earth, such as the object WTF1190F. It was a piece of hardware likely dating back to the Apollo mission days. Its return to Earth on November 13, 2015, told scientists a lot about what happens as material plunges through our atmosphere (and burns up on the way down). Of course, spent satellites are often de-orbited, too, with similar results. The idea is that only little pieces make it back to the planet, and the bigger stuff is destroyed. Knowing about space junk and where it is at any given moment is particularly important for people in the space launch business. This is because there are nearly  20,000 pieces of space debris up there. Most of it  ranges from such small objects as gloves and cameras to  pieces of rockets and artificial  satellites. Theres enough stuff up there to pose a real danger to observatories such as the  Hubble Space Telescope,  weather and communications satellites and the International Space Station. It also poses some risk to those of us on Earth. The good news is, the chances of something hitting us on land are fairly small. Its far more likely that a piece of space debris will fall into the oceans, or at least into an unhabitated part of a continent.   To keep launch vehicles and orbiting satellites from running into these bits of space junk, organizations  such as the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) observes and maintains a list of known objects orbiting Earth. Before every launch (and as satellites orbit the globe), the positions of all known debris must  be known so that the launches and orbits can proceed without risk. The other good news is that most space debris burns up before it hits the planet. The Atmosphere Can be a Drag (and Thats Good!) Pieces of junk in orbit can and do get caught up in our planets atmosphere, just as meteoroids do. That slows them  down, in a process called atmospheric drag. If were lucky, and a piece of orbital debris is small  enough, it will likely vaporize as it falls to Earth under the tug of our planets gravity. (This is exactly what happens to meteoroids when they encounter our atmosphere and the resulting flare of light we see as they vaporize is called a meteor. Earth regularly encounters streams of meteoroids, and when it does, we often see meteor showers.)  Ã‚  But, larger  pieces of space junk  can pose a threat to folks on Earth as well as get in the way or orbiting stations and  satellites.   Earths atmosphere is not the same size all the time. At some times it stretches out much farther from the surface due to solar activity. So, scientists monitor the density of the atmosphere changes over time in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) zone. Thats an area several hundred miles above the surface of our planet where most orbiting materials (including satellites and the International Space Station) exist.   The Sun Plays a Role in Space Junk Re-entry In addition to heating by the Sun (which helps swell our atmosphere), heat waves propagating from lower in the atmosphere can also have an effect. There are other events that affect our atmosphere and could have the effect of catapulting larger objects toward Earths surface. Occasional solar storms cause the upper atmosphere to expand. These erratic solar storms (caused by coronal mass ejections)   can zip from the Sun toward Earth in less than two days, and they produce rapid changes in air density.   Again, most space junk falling to Earth can and does vaporize on the way down. But, larger pieces can land and pose the potential for damage. Imagine being in the neighborhood if a large piece of a defunct satellite fell on your house! Or, imagine what would happen if a large solar storm resulted in enough atmospheric drag to pull a working satellite (or a  space station) into a lower and more potentially dangerous orbit? It would not be good news for anybody in the path. Predicting Re-Entry The U.S. Air Force (which is involved with NORAD), and the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), the University of Colorado at Boulder, and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Space Weather Prediction Center work together to forecast space weather events and the effects they have on our atmosphere. Understanding those events will help us all in the long run by understanding the same effects on the orbits of space junk. Ultimately, the junk trackers will be able to forecast more accurate orbits and trajectories of space debris in near-Earth space.   Fast Facts about Space Junk Space junk is made up of objects left over from space flights, such as cameras, rocket pieces, and other small pieces of debris.Occasionally space junk takes the form of a satellite directed to re-enter Earths atmosphere. Its usually directed to impact Earth in the oceans or in uninhabited areas.Agencies monitor thousands of pieces of space junk, charting the orbits of these objects.  Much space junk vaporizes due to friction with Earths atmosphere and never reaches the surface.

Midwifery focused option Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Midwifery focused option - Essay Example In this essay, the role of midwives in facilitating women centered care will be discussed through case analysis of a woman in labour through review of appropriate literature. Review of prenatal care On admission, the midwife taking care of Karen must review her prenatal history and antenatal care provided. Prenatal care is very important in any pregnancy. According to NICE guidelines (2003), all pregnant women who seek prenatal care must be given evidence-based information and allowed to take informed decisions about their care. Issues like "who will take care of the pregnant woman" and "where will the delivery be conducted" should be based on the pregnant woman's choice and after receiving enough information about various options available. Blood tests which merit importance are diabetes screening, serological tests for rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B and humman immunodeficiency virus, hemoglobin and thyroid function tests. During the antenatal check ups, drugs taken by the patient must be reviewed and in case the mother is consuming alcohol or is smoking, she must be motivated to refrain from them. Infact, these and other issues must be addressed much before the conception of the fetus and it is known as preconception care. One of the important strategies of preconception care is to take folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects in the baby (Atrash et al, 2006). Labour Karen is a primigravida mother with term gestation. Karen awaited onset of labour at home. The midwife gave her adequate information as to when to contact the midwife. When Karen was in early labour, she was assessed away from the delivery unit. There is evidence that such a practice results in less number of interventions during active phase of labour (McNiven et al, 1998). The midwife must discuss the plan of birth with Karen and make her comfortable. After Karen gets admitted in the hospital, unnecessary digital examination must be avoided t o prevent infection (Hannah et al 1996). Fetal heart must be monitored using a sonicaid. The descent of the presenting part, color and quality of the liquor and various other maternal observations must be assessed and recorded. There are four dimensions of support which women need to be given in labour and they are informational support, emotional support, physical support and advocacy (Hodnett, 1996). There is enough evidence to point that provision of continuous support in labour shortens the course of labour, decreases the use of pharmacological analgesia and decreases the use of forceps during delivery (Hodnett, 1996). The midwife must help Karen in choosing nonpharmacological methods of pain relief because they are safe for both mother and baby (Watson, 1994). The most commonly used nonpharmacological method of pain relief is exercise therapy which must be taught in antenatal classes. The requirements of pain medications are less in those who are prepared well in antenatal clas ses (Watson, 1994). Karens's progression of labour must be monitored through vaginal examination. Progression of labour involves moving of cervix from posterior position to anterior position, ripening or softening of cervix, effacement of cervix, dilatation of cervix, rotation, flexing and moulding of head and descent of fetus (Simkin & Ancheta, 2000). Vaginal examinations are painful and a source of distress (Simkin &

Reflection on professional development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Reflection on professional development - Essay Example Reflective practice has been recognised to be an important tool for professional development. It helps one to objectively assess if what he has learned and done in the recent past is enough to help him move on and move up to higher levels of learning and doing. Lipman (2003) defines reflective thinking as â€Å"thinking that is aware of its own assumptions and implications as well as being conscious of the reasons and evidence that support the conclusion† (p. 26). Reid (1993) presents a motivational definition of reflective thinking as â€Å"a process of reviewing an experience of practice in order to describe, analyse, evaluate and so inform learning about practice.† Van Manen defines reflection in terms of a means of mental action that distances the person from events in order that they may be viewed in a more objective manner (as cited in Moon, 1999). In all of these definitions, I learned that it takes much objectivity in assessing the efforts I have put into my stu dies and practice in the past year. I take on a dual role – one as a reporter and another as an assessor. Reflective practice has both advantages and disadvantages. ... The risk is in realizing that one may not be suited to the profession he has chosen to undertake. Reading about how such scholars regard reflective practice as an essential process in professional growth, I pressed myself to look back to my experiences from the time I began my NVQ-3 and objectively assess my growth and performance in practice in order to be able to look forward to the long road leading to my future success as a professional. I began Year 1 in September 2010. In less than I year, I have learned so much already, although I am aware that there is still so much to be learned in the coming years. I used to think nursing tasks were limited to washing and dressing patients, administering medicine prescribed by doctors and not much else. I was definitely wrong! I realized that it entails so much more especially after learning about the foundations of nursing practice. Learning about anatomy and physiology was difficult enough, not to mention being able to manage time properl y, complying with assignments and generally being a good student. It was particularly trying for me since I am already 40 years old and have five children of my own to care for. Nevertheless, I am fired up by the challenges I face every day. My reflective account will include my graduate skills, my computer literacy skills, feedback from my mentors and the internal and external factors that influence my development. 1. Graduate Skills Being on my first year, I am still in the adjustment phase of my graduate student life. Perhaps I have an easier time than my peers who are in the same year level because of my basic knowledge in nursing practices that I have gained from my work as a health care assistant. However, the

Endowment Effect, Behavioural, and Standard Economics Theories Essay

Endowment Effect, Behavioural, and Standard Economics Theories - Essay Example Regardless of the participants’ immense experience in the real world market, he found out that the willingness to accept the mugs was nearly three times higher than the willingness to pay. This is an indication that even experienced negotiators are also susceptible to the endowment effect (Angeletos, Repetto, Tobacman, and Weinberg, 2001; p. 57). The result of these two experiments is similar indicating that the human brain makes a decision almost in a similar way and on the other hand, it is apparent to note that persons under the same environmental conditions often operate under the same constraints (List, 2004; p. 617). It should also be noted that the same constraints affect even those who have experience in certain fields. The endowment effect can be analysed using neoclassical or standard economics that is strongly built on the assumptions that ever turned to well established facts (Babcock et al. 1994; pg. 928). The most vital and preferred assumption is that all econom ic agents that include consumers, suppliers, and companies among others are fully rational and their visible hand works create market efficiency (Knetsch and Wong, 2009; p. 410). Rational economists often consider these assumptions a basic, logical, and self-evident; hence, they do not require any empirical scrutiny (Babcock and Loewenstein, 1997; p. 110). Materialism has also been identified as one of the forces behind endowment effect. Some people believe that the material they own is a central occupation that provides them with success and happiness. Using materialism to determine the existence of endowment effect, 317 first year students at Katholieke University Leuven, Belgium were subjected to a study. The survey provided a...This paper discusses the endowment effect, which can be analysed using neoclassical or standard economics that is strongly built on the assumptions that ever turned to established facts Materialism has also been identified as one of forces behind endowmen t effect. Analysing endowment effect through experimental evidence often leads to the behavioural economics that targets the analysis of new variables that are often ignored by the standard economics Endowment effect largely depends on behavioural decision making that analyses how people often make certain decisions. Behavioural decision-making is a vital field that is used by different other fields including psychology, political science, management, and economics among other Endowment effect is an essential element in economics since it causes conflict between the actual behaviour and macroeconomic theory that says that value of an object should be independent of the ownership The core behavioural economics depict realism of the psychological economic analysis that aims at improving the economics on its own terms including generating better phenomena predictions, generating theoretical insights, and suggesting better policies At the same time behavioural economics does not disregard neoclassical approach to the understanding and analysis of economics and neither does it reject utility maximization, efficiency, and equilibrium The understanding of standard economics is purely pegged on the understanding of behavioural economics without concentrating on the psychology of such concepts. In regards to human behaviour, standard economics model assumes that the actions of people are fully pegged on their full information on the action in question

Impact of the Digital Environment on Copyright

Impact of the Digital Environment on Copyright Critically assess the blurring of the boundaries between the expression of an idea in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not). In your response, you will need to examine the impact of the digital environment on copyright and initiatives like open access and Creative Commons. Discuss whether protecting original works is becoming obsolete, considering the effect of a copyright-free world on individual creators, producers and distributors. Be explicit about how you respond to and extend the examples presented in the topics podcast and town meeting. Copyright can be defined as the ownership of the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves (Bourne 2008). The issue of copyright is perhaps facing its greatest challenge. The line between the expression of ideas in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not) is being increasingly blurred due to the increasing prevalence and penetration of digital technologies in the national (Australian) and international (global) communication environment. With the proliferation of copyright violations as digital technologies offer file sharing capacities, the development of author favouring initiatives approximating to Open Access and Creative Commons eroding the corporate power of copyright corporations, the existence of legally protected copyright protections a creator craves, corporations pursue and governments protect, is under serious threat. Traditionally the free market economy has envisioned a hierarchy from producer to consumer in the development and dissemination of cultural information. Conventionally, the mode of production had envisioned a role for creator, manufacturer, distributor and consumer. This was a centralised system. Copyright pervaded and that which was protected by copyright was difficult if not impossible to illegally obtain without paying the royalties to the creator or copyright holder. Yochai Benkler believes there has been a decentralisation of the process due to the onset of the digital revolution, particularly with Internet technologies, while technology simultaneously sustains the centralisation of cultural information. I will suggest that we call the combination of these two trends the radical decentralization of intelligence in our communications network and the centrality of information, knowledge, culture, and ideas to advanced economic activity the networked information economy (Benkler 2003, p.1252). The strength of Benklers argument is that its a fresh idea that argues somewhat from a political economy perspective, the production process. The production process has been decentralised due to digital technologies and therefore individuals who previously held no part can create their own ideas by either mimicking, disseminating, copying, plagiarising without consequence. This networked information economy (or decentralisation of production) has led to a blurring of the lines between the expression of ideas in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not) due to the increasing mobility and creativity individuals can utilise as a result of the onset of digital technologies. Benkler believes ubiquitously available cheap processors have radically reduced the necessary capital input costs. What can be done now with a desktop computer would once have required a professional studio (Benkler 2003, p.1254). According to Benkler, a primary contributor to cultural production is pre-existing information, a publicly accessible good while others include human creativity and the physical capital necessary to generate, fix, and communicate transmissible units of information and culture like a recording studio or a television network (Benkler 2003, p.1254). The Internet and digital technologies have to an extent decimated the dominance of the capital generators, those owners and proprietors of copyright such as the television networks and publishers, and allowed consumers to edit pre-existing copyrighted material, or create their own, to the detriment of copyright holders. This leaves individual human beings closer to the economic centre of our information production system than they have been for over a century and a half (Benkler 2003, p.1254). The failing of Benklers argument is that it views digital technologies as offering endless opportunities for individual production. While this may be true, usually the product produced is usually distributed for free and those who attempt to make economic gain are wiped out by the competition that produce free and higher quality software and programs. The impact of the digital environment has led to the proliferation of copyright violations and use of materials by consumers in their own productions and ideas without regard for the intended royalties. This has been seen no better than in the rising prevalence of file sharing software on the Internet, its popularity, dominance, and targeting by corporations for law suits. The most radically new and unfamiliar element in this category is commons-based peer production of information, knowledge, and culture, whose most visible instance has been free software (Benkler 2003, p.1254). An example of these peer network systems Benkler speaks of includes file sharing systems such as Limewire, BitTorent, eMule and Gnutella. Based on peer-to-peer technology (Fattah 2002; Oram 2001), so-called filesharing systems offer the possibility to exchange any sort of digital data for free and without restriction (Quiring 2008, p.435). Considerable losses in revenues have resulted in the film, gaming and particularly communications industries due to the illegal copying and sharing of their products. According to the communications industry, it misses out on considerable revenues each year due to the illegal exchange of communications data (Quiring, von Walter Atterer 2008, p.435). Similarly there has been propagation in the amount of quality free programmes on the Internet that supplant those supplied by corporations and have no copyright protections of their own. The networked information economy opens for radically decentralized collaborative production peer production† a process by which many individuals, whose actions are coordinated neither by managers nor by price signals, contribute to a joint effort that effectively produces a unit of information or culture (Benkler 2003, p.1254). Free software has become the quintessential instance of peer production in the past few years. Over 85 percent of emails are routed using the sendmail software that was produced and updated in this way (Benkler 2003, p.1254). Over 60% of Australians use msn, yahoo, Google or other free E-mail providers as their primary E-Mail account and the development of free virus scanning software such as AVG, free communications composing and artistic programs have gradually eroded communications corporations copyright power and grip on the consumer market. However here, within these filesharing and producing communities the lines between the expression of ideas in a material form and an idea itself are more deeply blurred as the providers of free programmes and those who illegally copy and distribute software, programmes and cultural files (such as communications), known as warez have developed their own codes of production and consumption. An academic of Southern California University, D. Thomas alludes to this in his article Innovation, Piracy and the Ethos of New Media identifies three key fundamentals in the warez ethos (Thomas 2002, p.87). Firstly, keeping information free and open in the face of corporate control, an act which they see as embodying the spirit of the Internet; communications or game lovers right to redistribute goods they have purchased providing they do not profit financially. Secondly the sense of an entitlement to digital content, as after buying a computer and internet access they see the content as already paid for (Thomas 2002, p.87). It can therefore be seen that the digital environment erodes copyright protection and the benefits copyright brings to its owners and distributors. Due to the erosion of copyright protections, debate has arisen as to whether the erosion of copyright is desirable. According to Spinello, while they are evermore protected by government legislation, property rights are often dismissed or disparaged in academic circles. Post-modern critics, for example, find it hard, to accept that creative works have a single author, so the assignment of a property right loses intelligibility (Spinello 2003, p.2). It has therefore been argued by many academics, including Lessig that innovation and creativity depend upon free, uncontrolled resources and more precisely, according to Lessig the Internet forms an innovation commons,† that is, a space where innovation and creative expression can flourish (Spinello 2003, p.3). In an effort to protect themselves from the increasing breaches of copyright brought about by these kind of principles and digital technologies that facilitate these breaches of copyright, copyright owners have lobbied governments to extend copyright protection to lifetime plus seventy years and are attempting to override exceptions granted to institutions such as universities and parliaments along with removing the copyright ownership from creators to themselves. This has facilitated the rise of movements against this trend known as Open Access and Creative Commons in order to protect creators and consumers. Open Access and Creative Commons are two organisations that espouse opposing, yet fundamentally similar goals to deal with the blurring of the boundaries between the expression of ideas in a material form and ideas themselves. On the one hand Creative Commons argues for the protection of creators through the benefits of minimal copyright protections known as moral rights by issuing their own legally recognised copyright licenses. The moral rights extend the rights of creators to the basic entitlements of attribution and integrity that have adopted in the developed world, including Europe and Australia (excluding USA). While attribution is the right of the creator to have his work recognised by attribution, integrity is the right of the creator not to have his work falsely portrayed or misused. Creative Commons aims to promote better identification, negotiation and reutilization of content for the purposes of creativity and innovation. It aims to make copyright content more active† by ensuring that content can be reutilized with a minimum of transactional effort (Fitzgerald Oi 2004, p.1). Alternately, Open Access seeks to minimize copyright in its entirety. Open Access† means access to the full text of a scientific publication on the internet, with no other limitations than possibly a requirement to register, for statistical or other purposes (Bjà ¶rk, Roos, Lauri 2008, p.1). The purpose of this initiative is to accredit creators with their copyright and offer access to materials at minimum or no cost so as not to stifle creativity due to excessive copyright protections under the law. However one must consider the implications of the erosion of copyright as discussed above and whether protecting old works is becoming obsolete. Some scholars and economists believe that copyright is crucial to the development of society and its advancement due to the protections of copyright and their benefits owners of copyright aspire to. A particular point raised in the town meeting was the relevance of copyright if individuals can merely download audio, visual and software files from file sharing programs on the Internet for no-charge. However a report commissioned by the Australian government in 1998 raised the interesting point that copyright is crucial to the capitalist system of innovation and development. These industries form a significant and, to date, growing part of the Australian economy in 1992-93, the net contribution of copyright based industries to the total economy was an estimated $11 billion in constant prices, or 2.9% of the total GDP and the report concluded Copyright is the glue in the various transactions between creators and investors the legal mechanism which ensures that the value of creative effort or investment is not undermined and devalued by others taking a free ride on that effort or investment (McDonald 1999, p.2). It can be affirmed then, that a system of copyright, limited even, is desirable, if not to protect creators, then to at least achieve a balance between the rights of creators and copyright producers and distributors for revenue and moral accreditation, while allowing access to the public for consumption. A system of limited intellectual property protection is justified both as an inducement for future creative activity and as a reward for the intellectual labor associated with that socially valuable activity (Spinello 2003, p.2). It has been argued by many academics that the complete erosion of copyright protections may dislodge the profitability of many industries such as the gaming, communications and film, to the detriment of future production as creators see no purpose in creation without economic gain (McDonald 1999; Lee 2005). For example Illegal file sharing on the internet leads to considerable financial losses for artists and copyright owners as well as producers and sellers of communications (Quiring, von Walter Atterer 2008, p.434). It can therefore be strongly stated that while at times, when applied without distinction, copyright can be an encumbrance if argued from n Open Access perspective. However one must consider copyright as the glue that McDonald describes it as when considering the incentive effect copyright has in relation to the development and dissemination of cultural information (McDonald 1999, p.2). In conclusion it can be seen that the blurring of the boundaries between the expression of ideas in a material form (which is protected by copyright) and an idea itself (which is not) has led to the development of what Benkler has named the networked information economy (Benkler 2003, p.1245). The networked information economy makes it possible for nonmarket and decentralized models of production to increase their presence alongside the more traditional models, causing some displacement, but increasing the diversity of ways of organizing production rather than replacing one with the other (Benkler 2003, p.1247). This has led to the decentralisation of the process of cultural production files (mp3s, film, communications, etc) and is what has ultimately led to the blurring between ideas in material form and ideas themselves as seen with the development of filesharing and peer-to-peer production networks against the backdrop of the digital environment. This has gradually led to the erosion of copyright and the strengthening of legislation in reponse, in turn leading to the development of movements such as Creative Commons and Open Access. The ensuing debate over whether copyright is desirable to retain in the digital environment has led me to conclude that while copyright can act as encumbrance to creativity and learning, by removing its protection the incentive it generates for innovation and cultural production, have necessitated the need for a balance of the two. References: Thomas, D. (2002) Innovation, Piracy and the Ethos of New Media, pp. 82-91 in D. Harries (ed.) The New Media Book. London: British Film Institute.