Principles of accounting Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of accounting - Research Paper Example This essay focuses on the principles of accounting in business. Accounting refers to a well-organized recording, coverage, and examination of monetary transactions of a venture.The area of concern in this paper is the use of Activity-Based Costing In brief, ABC refers to a costing system used in assigning costs to various goods and services in the business world (Grossman & Livingstone, 2009). In this paper, Super Bakery Inc. acts as a practical demonstration of how the system can determine the costs in a real life situation. Historically, ABC came into use in the 1980s due to lack of reliability of the traditionally used methods of cost accounting (Mansor, Tayles, & Pike, 2012). The need to use ABC was due to dynamics experienced in business due to technological advancement and development. What strategies did the management of Super Bakery, Inc. use? Super Bakery, Inc is a company making and selling doughnuts. In order to maximize the company’s profits, the management came u p with a strategic plan of managing its resources (Drury, 2008). The core functions of the venture are performed inside the company’s premises, while the other activities, such as selling, take place through external sources. To run the outsourced partners smoothly, the company has established a well-drawn workflow to each affiliated company. Outsourcing is a strategy used to reduce the number of employees for the purpose of spending less money on human labor. Super Bakers strategy is successful, since the sales are higher than they were before the implementation of the strategy.

Cause and effect (Why I choose my major) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cause and effect (Why I choose my major) - Essay Example I desire to be part of this phenomenon, now as a student and later as a teacher. Being the product of a mother who teaches elementary school, the importance of learning, of being educated and of educating others has been conveyed to me on an everyday and more than just by words alone from the time of my earliest childhood memory. It caused me to look at learning differently than most other students in my age group. Many kids thought of school as a punishment of sorts, something they had to do much like chores or eating their peas. I didn’t relish every minute of every class, like all teachers or enjoy all homework assignments yet knew of the important component of each. From the boring classes I learned, ultimately, that making class-time interesting or even fun made learning more effective. From the particularly tough classes I learned that every child learns at a different pace and are simply better at some subjects than others. Though it is impossible to fashion a lesson plans that fit the needs of all students, it is possible to make two paths of lear ning, one for those who pick up the information quickly and one for those who do not. If the teacher is really interested, has a passion for the job, they can find a method by which to positively affect the most students in the time available. This is what was going through my mind in third or fourth grade as I sat in class. I was destined to teach. Beside my mother, several teachers inspired my desire for a career in education. Some, because they were so disinterested in their chosen profession, motivated me and possibly as much as any other. I could readily see that the students were not only as disinterested as the teacher but their perception that school was punishment was reinforced. This negative perception was transferred to other classes which diminished the student’s entire educational experience. The damage to their lives is incalculable. If the fire of knowledge acquisition is not lit as a

Summary of Shane Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Summary of Shane - Essay Example Initially Shane appears to be strange and dangerous to the narrator Bob Starett. When he appears in the city, he wears a â€Å"black hat, boots and a belt†. His dress was a bit different from the rest of the people. Shane’s dresses, composed face and mighty stature are strange enough to grow Bob Starett’s curiosity and fear. Yet Shane is not dangerous. Rather he proves to be helpful to the Starett family, as Joe Starett comments in this regard, â€Å"He's dangerous alright. But not to us, my dear†¦In fact, I don't think you ever had a safer man in your house.† (Schaeffer 23) Indeed Shane possesses a sense of respect for himself and for others. Because of this sense of self-respect and respect for others, he appears to be lovable to the Staretts. He is a hardworking man who will prove his worth by helping the family in need. He is supposed to find a man’s self-respect and value in works. He stays on Joe’s farm with a view to helping him i n the oncoming winter. He decides to help Joe because he finds that Joe needs not only help in his farm-works but also protection from other farmers who are trying occupying his land. Thus Shane involves into conflict with Fletcher an aggressive rancher who wants to buy Joe’s land in order to expand his ranch. One day, Shane goes to the town-market to repair their pitchfork. On the way, he meets Chris, one of Fletcher’s men, who attempts to provoke Shane to fight. But Shane remains as calm and cool as possible. He makes fun of how the poor farmers like Shane drink Soda and Shane smells like a pig. From that day, they become a laughing stock around the town. Joe and other farmers who refuse to sell their lands to Fletcher are being taunted by Fletcher’s people. Then, with a view to amend the situation, Shane reaches the town market into town and finds out Chris who invites him to a bar fight and gets beaten severely by Shane. Thus Shane becomes an indispensable p art of Joe’s survival struggle by his manliness and courage to confront injustice. Joe and Shane together wither anything wrong –the weeds, the large stump, Fletcher’s greed, etc- from Joe’s land. Obviously the aura of strength, honesty and courage that surround Shane influences Bobby’s psychological growth. Even before reaching their house along with the homesteader, Bobby grows a strong relationship with Shane. He becomes fascinated by Shane’s strong stature, the way he rode on his horse, the courage Shane shows while facing injustice, etc. He finds Shane a role model, of whom every action can inspire him. Shane also shows respect to the young boy. He tried to guide him about how to survive in a world which is full of adversaries. For Bob, Shane is not only a protector and a defense of the weak against the injustice, but also an experienced teacher who opens up the world of experience to the innocent boy. In this regard the narrator commen ts: â€Å"He was a man like father in whom a boy could believe in the simple knowing that what was beyond comprehension was still clean and solid and right† (Schaeffer 79). Bob takes him both as a man and a hero. Despite the heroic aura, Shane establishes himself as a usual man who can grow relationships with other men. Throughout the progress of the novel Bon learns that Shane is the man whom he should follow. Indeed Bob’s growth to maturity is greatly influenced by Shane and his father Joe. In fact, Shane’

Behavioural competencies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Behavioural competencies - Essay Example he competencies of customer focus, effective communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and relationship management to reflect the need to deal with customers in an exceptional manner. I have made the competencies as ‘generic’ as possible so that they cut across functions. Listed in the following sections are the competencies, with each having a definition and behavioural indicators for each level. The four levels are sound understanding, working knowledge, can do, and mastery and expertise. For the Senior Sales Assistant, the required level for all competencies is pegged at 3 (Can Do level). A strong drive and/or bias for producing results based on a high standard of excellence. These standards may be one’s own past performance (striving for improvement); an objective and tested measure (best practice); delivering responsive and empathic service (customer focus); or improving what anyone has ever done (innovation). Unique accomplishments and achieving performance objectives also indicate this competency. The ability to demonstrate and display self-direction or self-motivation. This includes the ability to maintain active personal energy and interest in learning as well as displaying dynamism and balance while engaging in ongoing personal development. This includes the ability to act as a role model demonstrating accountability, integrity, professional competence and trust and the ability to act in accordance to the highest standards of business ethics and protocols of the organisation. The genuine desire and ability to anticipate, understand, meet or exceed the needs of internal and external customers. This includes seeking first-hand information from customers, using own technical knowledge and consulting skill to go beyond customers expressed needs as well as taking personal responsibility for continuously raising the standard of customer service. The ability to actively listen, understand and respond appropriately when interacting with individuals

Ford Galaxy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Ford Galaxy - Essay Example Ford Galaxy is a seven-seater luxury large Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) developed jointly by Ford and Volkswagen and was first introduced in 1995. During the Frankfurt Motor Show held last September 2005, the latest Ford Galaxy model was unveiled. It will be available in the market in the middle of 2006. In the Motor Industry Facts 2006 published by SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd.), total car registration in UK reached 2.4 million as of 2005. In table 1 below, Lower Medium segment remains to be the most dominant car type in the industry owning 31.2% of the market. Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra, and Renault Megane are among the products included in this category. However, total car registration was down by 5% compared to 2004. Major factors attributed to such decline were lower consumer spending, increasing interest rates, and intense competition in the industry. Very evident in the last three years in the industry was the shift of consumer preferences in terms of car type. Share of Superminis like Corsa, Fiesta, and 206 went down by 3.9% while its alternative Lower Medium increased market share by 2.8%. Furthermore, SUVs or Dual Purpose 4x4s and MPVs increased share in the industry New car registrations can be classified as non-private (fleet and business) and private. An estimated of about 44.1% of total car registrations were categorised as private vehicles. ... In terms of non-private, 49% were contributed by business segment and the remaining 7.3% for fleet. Table 1 MPV's or minivans are slowly gaining popularity in the industry resulting to a 3-year compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6% against total industry CAGR of -1.6%. However, total MPV declined by 8% which is somewhat similar to the situation of the total car industry. MPVs are also known as people carrier, multi-utility vehicle, or to some extent as minivan. A typical MPV can seat 7 people or more, relatively higher than normal sedans, and can be characterised as a family car. It is further segmented in three major categories - mini-MPV (e.g. Hyundai Matrix), compact MPV (e.g. Vauxhall Zafira), and large MPV (e.g. Ford Galaxy) depending on its body size and seating capacity. Market Needs In the survey involving 3,000 new car buyers conducted by Vauxhall Motors last 2003, reliability turned out to be the most important consideration affecting car purchase. Price which was the primary consideration in year 2002 fell to 4th position. Comfort, fuel economy, price, exterior size and space in vehicle are other leading considerations influencing car purchase in UK. Market Forecast Car registration forecast in 2006 is still negatively skewed according to SMMT. Expected new car registrations will be around 2.375 million or -2.7% compared to actual car registration in 2005. Weak economic forecast which is directly related to weakening consumer spending is considered as one of the significant deterrents in 2006. Conversely, diesel demand is predicted to increase in the coming years. Competition General target buyers for MPV are young families with children age 6 to 11 years old who want better fuel economic savings. The growing fierce

The war on drugs and the United States criminal justice system Essay Example for Free

The war on drugs and the United States criminal justice system Essay Compiled by Drug Policy Alliance. August, 2001. Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a mans appetite by legislation, and makes a crime out of things that are not crimes. A Prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principles upon which our government was founded. Abraham Lincoln The link between racial discrimination and the war on drugs exists not only in the United States but also throughout much of the world. In one country after another racial and ethnic minorities are targeted and persecuted in the name of the war on drugs. Criminal laws often focus on psychoactive drugs used by minority populations, while other more commonly used drugs are legal, and their abuse properly treated as problems for health care providers, not criminal justice systems. In most countries, racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately targeted, arrested, prosecuted and punished for drug offenses. The reliance on incarceration as the principal means of punishment in the United States has escalated to the point that there are now more than 2 million Americans in the countrys state and federal prisons. The United States imprisons more of its citizens than any other nation in the world. Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans are over-represented throughout the U. S. prison system. However, nowhere in the criminal justice system is the disparity between the arrest, detention, conviction and sentencing of people of color and Whites more brutally obvious than in the case of the war on drugs. Racism Permeates Drug Law Enforcement. Unequal treatment of minority group members pervades every stage of the criminal justice system. Racial profiling, street sweeps, buy and bust operations and other police activities have targeted people in street level retail drug transactions in low-income communities of color. Blacks and Latinos are victimized by unfair treatment by police; by racially skewed charging and plea bargaining decisions by prosecutors; by discriminatory sentencing practices and by the failure of judges, elected officials and other criminal justice policy makers to redress the inequities that have come to permeate the system. The rate of drug admissions to state prison for black men are thirteen times greater than the rate for white men. A recent report by Human Rights Watch found that while drug use is consistent across all racial groups, Blacks and Latinos are far more likely to be arrested and prosecuted and given long sentences for drug offenses. Blacks constitute 13 percent of all drug users, but 35 percent of those arrested for drug possession, 55 percent of persons convicted, and 74 percent of people sent to prison. (1) Nationally, Latinos comprise almost half of those arrested for marijuana offenses(2) and Native Americans comprise almost 2/3 of those prosecuted for criminal offenses in federal courts. (3) The racial bias of the drug war is exemplified by the 100 to 1 disparity in prison sentences for crack versus powder cocaine. As scientists and courts alike have declared, there is no rational basis for distinguishing between crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Nonetheless, in 1994, 90 percent of persons convicted of federal crack cocaine offenses were Black, six percent Latino, and less than four percent White. Federal powder cocaine offenders were 30 percent Black, 43 percent Latino, and 26 percent White. (4) Domestically, U. S. drug policy is fueled by historical bias against racial minorities used to justify their disproportionate presence in the penal system. The impact these policies have had on social structures and political power in Black and Latino communities has been devastating. As a result of the war on drugs poor communities of color have been politically weakened by laws that disenfranchise voters for felony convictions and provide economic incentives for rural communities to embrace prisons as a form of economic development. The prevailing theory about prisons in many locales is If we build them, they will come. There is a self-perpetuating, cyclical quality to the treatment of Blacks and Latinos in the U. S. criminal justice system. Much of the discrimination visited upon these groups stems from the perceptions of criminal justice decision-makers that (1) most crimes are committed by minorities, and (2) most minorities commit crimes. Although empirically false, these perceptions cause a disproportionate share of law enforcement attention to be directed at minorities, which in turn leads to more arrests of Blacks and Latinos. Disproportionate arrests fuel prosecutorial and judicial decisions that disproportionately affect minorities and result in racial disparities in incarceration. The accumulated effect is to create a prison population in which Blacks and Latinos increasingly predominated, which in turn reinforces the misperceptions that justify racial profiling and punitive drug policies. Recommendations Affluent predominantly white suburban communities have long recognized that the drug war need not be fought only on the incarceration front. Alternatives such as drug treatment and education are mainstays of white, middle-class efforts to reduce drug abuse in their neighborhoods. A strategy centered on such demand reduction efforts makes sense: The Rand Corporation has estimated that investing an additional $1 million in drug treatment programs would reduce by fifteen times more serious crime than enacting more mandatory sentences for drug offenders. (5) But when it comes to the presence of drugs in poor communities of color, the response of policymakers is to build prisons rather than treatment facilities. If the government of the United States is truly committed to eliminating racial discrimination in the criminal justice system and fulfilling its responsibility as a party to CERD, there must be an end to racial profiling, mandatory minimum drug sentences, and civil disabilities for felony convictions. Police, prosecutors and other criminal justice decision-makers must be held accountable for their discretionary decisions. Moreover, there must be clear acknowledgement on the part of the U. S. government that the war on drugs is a failed policy that is doing more harm than good, particularly to people of color. Notes: 1. Human Rights Watch Report: Punishment and Prejudice: Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System, May 2000 Vol. 12, No. 2 (G). 2. John D. Couriel, Keep It Real: Recasting the drug debate in terms of accountability and opportunity.3. U. S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, American Indians are Violent Crime Victims at Double the Rate of the General Population, news release, Feb. 14, 1999 4. 1. 4 million black men or 13% of the black male adult population are disenfranchised, reflecting a rate of disenfranchisement that is seven times the national average. 5. Jonathan P. Caulkins, et al. , Mandatory Minimum Drug Sentences: Throwing Away the Key or the Taxpayers Money, Rand, Santa Monica, 1997, p. xxiv.

US Political Polarization: Republicans and Democrats

US Political Polarization: Republicans and Democrats Partisanship has always existed in the United States. Though, there have been periods of decline and resurgence. But since the 1970s America has seen an increase in â€Å"party unity† votes in Congress. From 2009 to 2012 party unity votes was around 70%, a clear indication of polarization in Washington.[1] The ideological differences that exist within Congress is also indicative of the attitude of the general public. A majority of people are willing to call themselves Democrats or Republicans. â€Å"Party identification, like other attitudes, affects beliefs as well as opinions.†[2] Party affiliation is a significant tool to predict tendencies of voters, those that associate themselves with the Republican Party tend to vote Republican and those associated with the Democratic Party tend to vote Democrat. Presidential performance ratings are indication of polarization amongst the parties. Republicans tend to give a higher approval rating for Republicans and lower rating f or Democrats, and the opposite is true for Democrats.[3] Elections and politics in America have become more polarized than ever before. The foundation that created a more polarized America can be found in the changes in the media, campaign financing, and the way candidates are elected. The history of news media is one of an evolution of technology, practices, and regulatory environments that transformed the views of America. Years ago, the choices for Americans to get their news were limited to a few TV networks and local newspapers. The government instituted regulations over the broadcast news, such as the equal time provision-which required stations to provide equal access to candidates for office. The long standing FCC policy called the fairness doctrine perhaps was the most impactful in broadcast news. The policy created a condition in which news outlets were not targeting distinct core beliefs. Instead, the policy â€Å"required that stations devote a share of airtime to public affairs programming, and that they do so in a manner that is balanced and equitable.† [4] So essentially, people received the similar information at the same time. In the past the national news was delivered by few weekly papers but technological advances brought a great potentia l market of viewers. The introduction of cable and internet made mass communication easier and cheaper. In 2010, nearly every household in America had access to either: radio, television, and at least one mobile device.[5] Americans enjoy a greater variety of view points, and this abundance of new implies political polarization can occur. Consumers of new media rely on news source they find as reliable and tend to avoid information that contradicts their prior beliefs. Fox news a conservative news outlet has a high believability percentage among Republicans (77% in 2012) and a low believability percentage among Democrats (37% in 2012).[6] Liberal media outlets have a similar ratings, high believability among Democrats and low believability among Republicans. It is safe to assume those with conservative beliefs are more likely to tune into a conservative media outlet and those with liberal views are more likely to tune into a liberal media outlet. These media outlets provide a common narrative on current events, a narrative that is suited for their audience. The audiences in turn are being told what they want to hear. And with the capabilities of the internet, the media outlets are able to target specific audiences and tailor information to reinforce what they already believe. This abundance of new outlets and targeting by the media contributes to political polarization. Modern campaigns for federal office are generally very expensive. Assembling campaign teams, raising funds, hiring consultants and technical specialists are all activities that cost money. There is no way for most candidates to organize and run a competitive campaign without the flow of money. Currently, money spent on major federal campaigns comes from private sources.[7] Money coming in from private sources raises a couple of problems in elections. Money is distributed unequally, so it threatens democratic equality, meaning, someone with more money could have more influence on the outcome. This also raises the concern that elected officials are more willing to serve their contributors than their constituents. This is entirely possible and could lead to elected officials taking more extreme positions on issues in order to please their contributors. For its part the federal government has stepped in to regulate the flow of campaign financing, creating the FEC to enforce law and to co llect and publish detailed information on campaign contributions. A 2010 Supreme Court decision banned all limits on independent spending led to the creation of SuperPACs. SuperPacs are essentially independent committees pushing their own agenda to support a candidate or attack a candidate. Unfortunately, candidates have no control over the SuperPACs and how they spend their money. Nearly $1.3 billion was spent independently on federal campaigns by parties and PACs in 2012.[8] The money generated by the SuperPACS is mostly spent to purchase television adverstising. In 2012, over 3 million political ads aired from January 1 through Election Day.[9] There was a substantial increase in volume and cost of political ads from 2008 to 2012 and a substantial increase in attack ads from 51% of ads aired in 2008 were attack ads to 61% in 2012.[10] At the same time, nonparty independent expenditures in congressional elections grew from $120 million in 2008 to $500 million in 2012.[11] Perhaps there is a correlation between attack ads and raising campaign funds. A campaigns ability to demonize an opponent, which provokes fear and anger among his constituents, is enough to motivate the candidate’s base to donate and turn out to vote. Polarization in Congress is not new. The extent of Congressional polarization depends on many factors, one being Primary Elections. Elections in Primaries differ than those in a general election. In Primary elections candidates tend to shift their positions either to the left or right end of the spectrum. Once they secured their party’s nomination, they shift their position to a more moderate position to attract independent voters. Candidates follow this method of campaigning because Primary constituents are more extreme than those in a general election.[12] Elections in the America preserves American democracy. Allowing citizens to pick their representatives and replace those that under performed. â€Å"The threat of replacement provides elected officials with a powerful incentive to listen to their constituents.†[13] Some voters may punish representatives that make an unpopular vote on issues by replacing him with another representative. This competition in primaries help create polarization within Congress.[14] When faced with competition in the primary election candidates tend to take extreme positions. Republicans candidates that face no competition/opponent had an average primary position .77 and those that encountered an opponent had an average primary position of .85[15], a position further from the center. This is because primary voters care more about a candidate’s positions than the general election voting base. The 2010 Tea Party phenomenon is an example of extreme and engaged primary constituents. The Tea Party movement knocked mainstream conservatives out of the picture, which in turn, hurt the Republican Party in the general election because of their extreme positions. The extremism and activism that exists in primary elections contributes to the political polarization in America. The ideological divide between Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives and Liberals is real. Polarization is not only present in the branches of government but also among the people. The political system that has been created has contributed greatly to the growth of polarization. The foundations can be traced back to the media’s influence over the public, financing of campaigns and the manner in which the public selects representatives. [1] Barry Burden, â€Å"The Polarizing Effects of Congressional Primaries,† in Galderisi et al. (eds.),  CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES AND THE POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION (2001). [2] (KJKV).pg.466. [3] (KJKV).Pg. 447 [4] (KJKV).pg. 629 [5] (KJKV).pg. 640 – It is entirely possible that despite having a mobile phone, the device may not be able to surf the Web, which limits the potential information sharing in that household. [6] (KJKV).pg. 638 [7] (KJKV).pg. 508 [8] (KJKV).pg. 511 [9] Erika Franklin Fowler and Travis N. Ridout, â€Å"Negative, Angry, and Ubiquitous: Political Advertising in  2012† [10] Erika Franklin Fowler and Travis N. Ridout, â€Å"Negative, Angry, and Ubiquitous: Political Advertising in 2012† [11] (KJKV).pg. 510 [12] Gary C. Jacobson, â€Å"The Electoral Origins of Polarized Politics: Evidence From the 2010 Cooperative  Congressional Election Study.† American Behavioral Scientist 56(12) 1612–1630. [13] (KJKV)Pg. 521 [14] Barry Burden, â€Å"The Polarizing Effects of Congressional Primaries,† in Galderisi et al. (eds.),  CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES AND THE POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION (2001). [15] Barry Burden, â€Å"The Polarizing Effects of Congressional Primaries,† in Galderisi et al. (eds.),  CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES AND THE POLITICS OF REPRESENTATION (2001).