Education: College and Recharge Academic Battery Essay

Taking a year off after finishing form six before approaching further tertiary education has been a much debated issue over the past few years. While some see it as an opportunity for the school leavers to know more about the world, there is another party that says it will be time wasted if the school leavers end up without planning anything during the time. After all, the school leavers still have to put their consideration on this issue. Point 1 Recharge academic battery – After spending a quarter of life as a student, it is a chance for the school leavers to take a break off. -Taking a year off before returning to school will provide you the chance to approach the next phase of your education with a fresh start and renewed vigor while staving off academic burnout. -During that time, they can also have some preparation on the further tertiary education by conducting an exhaustive college or university search. Point 2 Decision time – Take a year off will allow school leavers to decide on their major. -They can obtain an internship in the area that they are interested in studying, or in the career field they would like to pursue. -This will help them brings practical, real-world experience into their tertiary education, and it can get them some career contacts to contact after you graduate. Point 3 A chance to mature before entering tertiary education -Perfection is acquired through error and trial. -After the school leavers walked out from the school, they will undergo much hardship in the reality just to know themselves in the shape of perfection. -At the same time, they can learn to be mature by sorting things out around them. -By taking this opportunity, the environment in the society can help in building up their self confidence. Point 4 Earn some money -School leavers can earn extra money to help defray their upcoming college or university costs and expenditure in college or university. -Work experience can provide them with ‘soft skills,’ such as interpersonal, communication and leadership skills which is typically lacking in our previous education. – This is able to add a valuable notch to the resume which will help them when they enter the work force after earning their degree. Taking a year off from school can be a disaster without a proper plan. Therefore, the school leavers have to think long and hard about how they are going to spend their time. They have to ensure that their decision will bring a unique contribution to their future lives.

Blood Doping in Endurance Sports

Blood Doping in Endurance Sports Blood doping has become a consistant part of sports and fair play. Blood doping enhances your performance by increasing red blood cell mass and as a result delivering more oxygen to muscle. This â€Å"boost† of energy has sparked major controversy in the sports world for what it can do for an athlete during endurance events such as running. The risks involve putting the cardiovascular system of the athlete being in severe danger because of this procedure. Still, there are athletes out there that will put themselves at risk just to experience the prestige feeling of being number one, regardless of the circumstances. Fortunately, the last few years’ studies have made great strides and it has been discovered that athletes can increase their blood’s oxygen level without any side effects. Over the course of many years the use of blood doping and substances have been extremely controversial in endurance sports, how is it monitored and should they be allowed, but more importantly what are the risks? Each year, athletes in the endurance sports, increase their performances greatly. There is always better training, better conditioning tactics, and healthier athletes. Most athletes in the endurance world take one, if not all, of these methods to improve their races. Some of these ways consist of altitude training and the High Altitude Bed which is a bed that stimulates being 10,000 or more feet above which helps endurance athletes increase EPO in their bodies. Both the altitude bed and altitude training are safe and practical ways to achieve what some athletes accomplish through a highly dangerous and somewhat controversial way. However, there are some athletes that will do anything to find an easy way out, which may hinder their performance rather than help them achieve their goals. Plasma injections or blood doping is a complicated process, which if done right, can give great benefits for the short term. The process is very precise, in that, if done incorrectly, can be deadly to the recipient of the blood. â€Å"Blood doping, often called induced erythrocythemia, is the intravenous infusion of blood to produce an increase in the blood’s oxygen carrying capacity† (Smith). Putting that in black and white, you increase the amount of oxygen in your body, making it easier to race harder. The procedure begins with between 1 to 4 units of a person’s blood (1 unit = 450 ml of blood) being withdrawn. Most athletes go through the drawing of blood several weeks before a key competition so they have time to rebuild their normal level of red blood cells. The blood is then centrifuged and the plasma components are immediately reinfused while the remaining red blood cells are placed in cold storage (McArdle). The red blood cells are then reinfused back into the body, usually one to seven days before a high endurance event. If done correctly, this process can increase the hemoglobin level and red blood count by up to a staggering twenty percent creating the optimum oxygen levels. That percentage can make an average to slightly above average athlete look great and even make a very successful athlete have a performance of a lifetime. The WADA, the world anti- doping agency, is starting to crack down on endurance athletes trying to hurdle over some of the regulations to get a better time or place in their event. Athletes will do anything in their power to get the best seed time, place and to finish at a desired time and place when the final competition is held. Seed times can be crucial in endurance sports or faster, shorter races; this seed can determine where they are positioned throughout the race. But to prevent the hurdling of regulations a â€Å"World Anti- Doping Code† was set in place which all endurance athletes must follow especially when it comes to prestigious events. The purposes of the World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Program which supports it are: to protect the athletes' fundamental right to participate in doping-free sport and thus promote health, fairness and equality for athletes worldwide, and To ensure harmonized, coordinated and effective anti-doping programs at the international and national level with regard to detection, deterrence and prevention of doping† (USADA). The code is the fundamental and universal document upon which the World Anti-Doping Program in sport is based. The purpose of the Code is to advance the anti-doping effort through universal harmonization of core anti-doping elements. It is intended to be specific enough to achieve complete harmonization on issues where uniformity is required, yet general enough in other areas to permit flexibility on how agreed-upon anti-doping principles are implemented. † (USADA). Without this code athletes will not fear being tested or fear the risk of being exposed as a â€Å"cheater†. This Code implies that at any time a major athlete in a race can be tested if suggested or there is a high possibility the athlete could have used this method to â€Å"get ahead†. The international standards for this Code are to ensure every athlete across the globe understands this is illegal so every athlete in their race has a fair chance. The WADA does not want an athlete to break a world record in another country just because blood doping is legal in that country, therefore the Code applies to all endurance athletes world-wide. There are two ways to decide whether an athlete has used blood doping prior to their race and/or the day of their race. The athlete is either needed to take a blood or urine sample. There are such things as IC testing and OOC testing which refers to in-competition and out-of-competition. Yes, even if an athlete is out of season, blood doping is illegal, at all times, this includes the athlete is not competing in an upcoming race when they are found to have blood doped. In-Competition testing plans are primarily developed by coordinating with each National Governing Body (NGB) and are often in accordance with IF rules. Athletes may be selected for testing by USADA, the US anti- doping agency, based on a criterion that typically includes established rules set forth by each â€Å"IF†. An example of how athletes would be selected for in competition or event testing could be: Placed finishers, such as the top three finishers and randomly selected athletes, such as ninth, twelfth, fourteenth, etc. Out of Competition testing-USADA’s Test Distribution Plan establishes the number of tests per sport based upon the number of athletes in the USADA Registered Testing Pool and in evaluation of the International Standards. USADA also carefully considers selection formulas or requests for target selection of particular Athletes which are proposed by the USOC or a particular NGB. Tests are then allocated to periods throughout the year when OOC Testing is most effective (USADA). This testing is taken extremely serious; the USADA is determined to make endurance sports as natural as possible, to give everyone in the races a fair advantage, with no exceptions. Not just anyone can perform blood or urine tests for blood doping on the athletes. â€Å"The United States Olympic Committee (USOC), National Governing Bodies (NGBs), and the World Anti-doping agency (WADA) Code have authorized USADA to test any athlete, but only under certain circumstances†, (USADA). These circumstances are ostly done in the United States but when there is an international event or team, these also qualify for random testing. Random testing can occur quite often, especially the week before a major competition or after the competition ends. The United States is most determined to catch unfaithful athletes, but it is a constant mission to get all countries to take this as seriously as the United States does. The USADA can test anyone who: Is a member of a license holder of a NGB; Is participating at an Event or Competition sanctioned by the USOC or a NGB or participating at an Event or Competition in the United States sanctioned by an IF. This rule does not exclude competitors outside of the United States. If the athlete is a foreign athlete who is present in the United States, the athlete can still be tested. If the Athlete has given their consent to testing by USADA or who has submitted a Whereabouts Filing to USADA or an IF within the previous 12 months and has not given their NGB written notice of retirement or been named by the USOC or an NGB to an international team or who is included in the USADA Registered Testing Pool (USADA RTP) or is competing in a qualifying event to represent the USOC or NGB in international competition. That is one problem as well, out of the country athletes under certain circumstances must agree to be tested, in order to be tested. But there are so many ways the USADA can test an athlete. For most athletes there is still no way around the random testing. Even if a United States Athlete or foreign Athlete present in the United States who is serving a period of ineligibility on account of an anti-doping rule violation and has not given prior written notice of retirement to the their NGB and USADA or the applicable foreign anti-doping agency or foreign sport association, the athlete can still be tested. Athletes can only be tested by USADA under authorization from the USOC, an NGB, IF, any NADO, WADA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee, (IPC), or the organizing committee of any Event or Competition (USADA). As said before, this is taken extremely seriously to keep endurance sports clean and natural. There are many substances such as anabolic agents, hormones or steroids, Beta-2 agonists, gene doping, stimulants, narcotics, cannabinnoids, etc. Blood doping seems to be on the top of the lists because it has the least side effects, hence why athletes resort to blood doping. But the side effects may be few, but they are extremely dangerous to an athlete’s heath and life. The side effects of blood doping include, â€Å"increased heart rate, blood clotting, and stroke,† (USADA). Those three side effects may seem like they can only happen to older athletes but they apply to anyone who considers blood doping. Although, this system is a great prevention of future doping it also causes controversy when an athlete wins an event and is immediately suspected of blood doping or using a substance. These tests and committees let athletes know they are serious about this controversy and are stopping at nothing to make athletes get the performance they want the real way, no cheating, no cutting corners, just hard, hard work. These accusations not only affect the runners ego it also puts an unwanted spotlight on the athlete which make fans and other runners question the athletes character. There are plenty of athletes accused of blood doping such as, â€Å"Lasse Viren, the famous Finnish distance runner, (who was tripped and got back up to still win the 10,000m in the Olympics, and won the 5,000m against Prefontaine in 1972 & also won both again in 1976) was suspected of blood doping because he was still running elite even as he got older when most runners started to decline,† (Athletic Runner). Even though Lasse Viren was innocent, unfortunately we have this Code because that is not always the case. In other races such as the steeplechase even world champion steeplechaser, Marta Dominguez and his doctor have been accused of blood doping. At the center of cycling’s biggest doping investigation were among a reported 14 people detained across Spain by the Spanish Civil Guard in a new investigation. The Spanish news media reported that, â€Å" she was detained along with her trainer, Cesar Perez, and Eufemiano Fuentes, a doctor involved with Operation Puerto, which implicated more than fifty cyclists after raids in May 2006 that netted steroids, blood bags and blood doping equipment. It led to bans for Alejandro Valverde and Ivan Basso. Dominguez, thirty-five, is skipping the 2011 season because she is pregnant,† (New York Times). The urine sample to find out whether an athlete has violated the blood doping Code was a huge phenomenon in 2009. In recent studies, The World Anti-Doping Agency, found a new method that would allow wider testing of the banned blood-boosting hormone EPO. Arne Ljungqvist, vice president of WADA, said that, â€Å" if the new technique proved successful, it could be used much more widely than the existing system, which is expensive and complicated,† (New York Times). Before this testing became available it took days to figure out whether an athlete has cheated, but the urine testing has made big strides in speeding up the process for less controversy and stress for the athletes. Athletes like Cyclist Jesus Monzano have had bad experiences with blood doping. Blood doping can be lethal even for a healthy and fit athlete. He nearly died after being injected with poorly stored blood in 2003. It is found that, â€Å"an extraordinarily high level of RBCs in the blood can tax athletes' hearts. Its hard work for the organ to push sludgy blood through an athlete's veins† (Kois). Other athletes like Tyler Hamiliton face the loss of Olympic and prestigious medals, â€Å"He lost his medal in the cycling time trial because two separate blood tests suggested that he might be guilty of blood doping. Hamilton, who has up to now enjoyed a squeaky-clean image, denies the charge† (Kois). Although this can be done in almost any sport, the USADA’s considerations are consistent with WADA’s international Standards for testing (IST). These standards at minimum include: Physical demands of the sport and possible performance-enhancing effect that doping may elicit, available doping analysis statistics, available research on doping trends, training periods and competition season, the history of doping in the sport and/or discipline, training periods and the competition calendar, information received on possible doping practices, resources aimed at the detection of doping may be specifically targeted and USADA retains the right to test any athlete at any time. Currently, blood doping is a controversial issue. With great strides in science and sports medicine, this will probably be a dilemma for years to come. Many present and future athletes will have to use their best judgment when this procedure becomes an issue in their lives. Blood doping is illegal but is also somewhat undetectable. Even though there are ways to catch an athlete blood doping, the USADA still cannot catch everyone, as with any substances or ways to â€Å"get ahead†. Their goal is to make athletes realize this is an unfair advantage to athletes not blood doping. The potential risks of such a procedure seem to outweigh any potential benefits, above and beyond the ethical issues involved† (Wilmore). With all the things that can happen to a professional athlete, why risk it? If a distinct advantage is needed in endurance events, altitude training and the altitude sleep chamber seem to have far fewer risks and are currently safe and legal. And, if all else fail s, hard work and determination still count for something. Works Cited â€Å"Blood Doping. † USADA, 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2011. ;. Brien Anthony J, Simon Toby L: The Effects of Red Blood Cell Infusion on 10- K. Race Time. JAMA 1987; 257:20:2761-2765. Catlin Don H, Murray Thomas H: Performance-Enhancing Drugs, Fair Competition, and Olympic Sport. JAMA 1996; 276:3:231-237. â€Å"Effects of Blood Doping and Gamow’s High Altitude Bed. † Blood Doping. http://spot. colorado. edu/~gamow/doping. html (9 Mar. 1997). Ghaphery Nick A: Performance-Enhancing Drugs. The Orthopedic Clinics of North America 1995; 26:3:433-442. Gledhill Norman: Blood Doping and Related Issues: a brief review. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 1982; 14:3:183-189. â€Å"Killer drug should be tackled now, say’s expert. Blood Doping. http://www3. nando. net/newsroom/sports/oth/1996/oth/mor/feat/archive/031296/mor44236. html (9 Mar. 1997). Kois, Dan. â€Å"What Is Blood Doping? † Slate Magazine. 23 Sept. 2004. Web. 19 Mar. 2011. ;. McArdle William D, Katch Frank I, Katch Victor L: Exercise Physiology; Energy, Nutrition, and Human Performance. Second Edition: Lea and Febiger Copyright 1986; Philadelphia, PA. p. 409-411. Mirkin Gabe. â€Å"New Tests to Detect EPO Use. † Blood Doping. http://www. wdn. com/mirkin/fc51. html (9 Mar. 1997). â€Å"Prof’s Invention to Train Athletes While They Sleep. Blood Doping. http://spot. colorado. edu. /~gamow/bedpr. html (9 Mar. 1997). Smith Daniel A, Perry Paul J: The efficacy of Ergogenic Agents in Athletic Competition; Part II: Other Performance-Enhancing Agents. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 1992; 26:5:653-658. Wadler Gary I: Drug Use Update. The Medical Clinics of North America 1994; 78:2:439-455. Wilmore Jack H, Costill David L: Training for Sport and Activity; The Physiological Basis of the Conditioning Process. Third Edition: Wm. C. Brown Publishers Copyright 1988; Dubuque, IA. p. 255-257.

The ways children and adults may respond to media content that Essay

The ways children and adults may respond to media content that contains explicit material - Essay Example These programs show objectionable and socially offending content including promiscuity, violence, drug abuse and occultism among others. This paper examines the complaints that objectionable media content has generated, emphasizing on critical analysis of the linkage between the contents and the objections raised by the society. Complaints to objectionable content Various media contents have generated negative criticism from the society. Some of the complaints originate from particular segments of the society while others elicit widespread criticism. In a research study investigating the reactions of the society to objectionable media content, Stephenson (2007) identified religion, race, and culture in addition to sexual orientation as the major factors determining how particular media content is received in the society. In American society, the minority groups have been raising concerns about how their image is portrayed in the media. In the movie industry for instance Adler, et al( 2007) noted that most African American males play violent and vulgar roles that portray them as hardcore criminals with an inclination of abusing hard drugs. In addition, many television programs focusing on black people portray the negative side such as poverty, crime and chronic disease infection in addition to broken and unhappy families. These programs have recently fallen under heavy criticism because they hardly show achievements or positive side of the black people in the community. The negative media publicity of the minorities, especially in developed countries has been attributed by Bushman and Cantor (2003) as the leading cause of reinforcing crime, drug abuse and other social problems, among the minority groups. In addition, they promote racial prejudice, where a particular race is regarded with scorn, suspicion and mistrust. Besides negative depiction of African Americans, portrayal of people from East Asian countries such as Japan and china in the media is equally bias ed compared to white actors. A study conducted by Stephenson (2007) established that most movies with male actors from oriental countries portray them as extremely violent and cold hearted with exemplary martial arts skills. Similarly, female actors from these countries are portrayed as delicate, weak and sexually attractive. This perception creates an impression that Asian females are incompatible with their violent, cold hearted and inhuman counterparts in romantic relationships. Sexually explicit and pornographic programs are some of the most heavily criticized media content in all segments of the society. In extremely conservative societies and religious groups, media programs that broadcast scanty dressing or behavior with sexual overtone are not allowed (Adler, et al 2007). Pornographic content is considered as the epitome of sexual immorality in most societies. Currently, restricting access to pornographic materials to the young people is among the top priorities in most coun tries. Sexually explicit media contents are attributed to promoting promiscuity and other adverse sexual behavior, such as pedophilia, rape and homosexuality. Effect of objectionable content on behavior High prevalence of violent crime, promiscuity, drug abuse and other social disorders have been credited to the negative influence of

Reimagining Detroit by John Gallagher Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Reimagining Detroit by John Gallagher - Essay Example The purpose of this paper is to summarize Gallagher’s arguments about what has gone wrong with Detroit, what made it go wrong, and the corrective actions that need to be taken to rectify the situation. A comparison of Detroit’s situation will be made with Dubai city. An analysis of the solutions given by the author to the problems facing Detroit will be also e evaluated. The solutions will be assessed to see if they are applicable to the current problems facing Dubai. One thing that is wrong with Detroit according to Gallagher is that the city is shrinking and losing its former glory. The city is getting depopulated, thus creating a lot of empty spaces (2). Gallagher notes that, at its peak, Detroit was ranked fourth largest city in the U.S. It had numerous factories which were doing so well and its many streets were lined with people and shopping malls. During this time, Detroit was densely populated, segregated, and enjoyed a lot of prosperity. However, all these disa ppeared as many shops and factories have closed down with many people moving to places with conducive environments for investment and job opportunities. Gallagher attributes this mass migration to many factors such as insecurity, poor governance, and lack of good infrastructural facilities among others. In order to overcome these wrongs and bring back Detroit to its former glory, Gallagher proposes adjusting expectations. In this case, he argues that Detroit residents should stop looking back and accept the situation and work with the city as it is now. To inspire Detroit, Gallagher uses a host of other cities in the U.S. and other countries that have made use of empty space and rebuilt their infrastructures. For instance, he notes that in Seoul, London, and Zurich, streams that were once covered in the sewer system have been harnessed and brought back to the surface, thus improving the environment as well as establishing new parts and developments alongside the water. In San Franci sco and Portland, highways that were not needed were removed from the city center, creating room for the neighborhood to reconnect with the waterfront. He also notes that, in Havana, a good network of urban farms initially developed during extreme food shortages, but is now acting as the food basket for Havana, supplying a variety of vegetables and fruits (Neill 648). Gallagher suggests simple interventions for Detroit at the local level. For instance, he notes that one of the wrongs that have scared people and investors away from the city is the fact that the city is dirty and stinky. This is because the city is full of weeds and has poor sewerage system. Therefore, to beautify the city, Gallagher recommends the removal of the weed-choked vacant lots that make the city untidy (28). He recommends the use of Philadelphia Green model: reseed the lots with ground cover or grass, install picket fences and plant trees. His suggestions also include building a good sewerage system to remov e the wastes as this will help keep the city clean and attractive to both the people and the investors. Gallagher sees a problem with the roads within the city of Detroit. He notes that the roads are dilapidated and pathetic. Some of the roads in good condition no longer carry the traffic that they used to carry due to the mass exodus of people from the town. He cites the eight-to-ten-lane that longer serves the purpose for

The Negative Effects of the Grading System Essay

The Negative Effects of the Grading System - Essay Example While each individual has perceptions of what an A or a C or an F should mean with regard to student achievement, the reality is that these measures are often applied inconsistently and arbitrarily. Letter grades often become efforts to shoehorn subjective learning assessments into an objective measurement system that does not necessarily lend itself to being applied in that way. Further, such grades can be applied with relativism, such as in the context of a bell curve whereby students are given a grade that may not truly reflect their mastery of the subject matter, simply because of their juxtaposition to other students in the class. Ultimately, there are several potentially negative effects of the traditional letter grading scale that warrant a wholesale review of how student performance should be appropriately measured under various circumstances. To be sure, the traditional system may be the best system for some situations, namely where students are objectively tested and scored on the material. However, education is largely becoming a more complex, subjective and nuanced endeavor in a world that is rarely black and white. This paper will assess the appropriateness of the traditional letter grade system for measuring student success in various types of learning environments, and evaluate some of its alternatives. It will also discuss the potential negative consequences of applying the traditional objective letter grade system where it may not be appropriate to do so. The Meaning of Letter Grades A's and B's no longer mean what they used to, largely because they have become the predominant grade given. For example, a recent analysis of grades in Indiana public schools shows 75% of all grades given were either A's or B's, with only 10% being D's or F's (Stockman, 2007, para. 3). That leaves 15% of grades being C, which intuitively would be the median grade. Such an uneven grade distribution begs the question of whether grade inflation is at play, or whether the vast majority of students are really earning these high grades. According to Matthew Hartley, assistant professor of education at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education, "It's important to remember that grade inflation is a shift in grades without a corresponding improvement in performance. . . If your institutions are becoming more competitive and selective, it may be that they are admitting better prepared students who are earning A's, which means there is no inflation" (para. 7). Largely due to this uncertainty about how well deserved a grade actually is, letter grades are becoming increasingly irrelevant as students move toward the transition from school to the workforce. As George Kuh of Indiana University asserts, "If you talk with business and industry leaders, they'll tell you grades don't matter . . . What you really want to know is if they're flexible, adaptable, can they work with other people" (para. 30). Thus, it seems a different, more subjective measurement of student performance may be in order if the goal is to help students succeed as working professionals. An approach that evaluates students on their ability to apply what is learned in a way that makes them functional contributors to society would likely be more valuable to

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words - 2

Sociology - Essay Example His work emphasized on the methods of sociological studies, division of labour, scientific studies of religion and the analysis of suicide due to imbalance between self and the society. (â€Å"Durkheim, Émile†, 2007) Durkheim’s made his most influential work on the detailed study of suicide in his famous book ‘Le Suicide’ which was published on 1897. This book, not only broke the conventional analyses of suicide, but it was successful in giving sociological studies a new momentum from the long celebrated ones. The modern standard structure of sociological research and analysis was originated from Durkheim. Durkheim, in his book framed a new definition of suicide as â€Å"the term suicide is applied to all cases of death resulting directly or indirectly from a positive or negative act of the victim himself, which he knows will produce this result†. Through this definition Durkheim distinguished suicide from accidental death. He was very much interrogative regarding the analysis of suicide in a social perspective. The essence of his analysis lies in discovering the actual correspondence, if exists, among the different socioeconomic and psychological factors that may inculcate the desire inside a person to terminate his life intentionally. According to this great sociologist there could be many factors generated from the social and economic structures that would lead to the desire to kill oneself. In his book Le Suicide, Emile Durkheim not only changed the way of understanding suicide but also he was successful in cultivating a new way of conducting sociological researches. Hence he was successful in conceptualization of a new structure of sociological research. From the very beginning of the book he started to define the pivot term under discussion and advanced towards sketching out the promotional outlines of a pedagogical explanation of suicide, which would be informed by social science. In this way he used the tables of suicide statistics. He collected

The Giver By lois lowry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Giver By lois lowry - Essay Example The Giver slowly began to shake his head, and then stood up. Putting his arm around Jonas, they both began to walk the load road to what ever it was lay beyond. The Giver turned his head back and looked upon the city once more, and softly began to sob as him and Jonas began their walk to escape. "Jonas, I have seen them. The people, they do not know how to deal with the memories that were unleashed with our leaving. Chaos has near erupted, and they have are not dealing with the memories well. They need one of us to help them." Jonas fluttered his eyes as he awoke to the Giver's words. All he had wanted was escape, and now he felt compelled to return to the one place he wished not to. They should feel these feelings he thought, they should know what the world truly is. But his own conscience and feelings got the best of him, and in his heart Jonas knew the Giver was right. As much as he wanted to be as far apart from the horrible world he left behind, he owed it to them to help them deal with the memories and feelings he had left them. He did not wish to do this, however he knew it was the right thing to do. The journey was as difficult was it was the first time. The country side and the rough terrain made Jonas doubt this was worth it at all. The first trip has been barely impossible for the aging Giver, and with every step he looked as if he were one step closer to his own grave. Jonas did not want to see this trip be the death of the man he revered, but he feared for the worst. The Giver stumbled, and fell over a root in the ground. Jonas rushed to his side, and found the Giver fighting to hold on to what remained of his life. "Jonas, Jonas. Come closer Jonas. This is how it was meant to be. I will soon be with Rosemary, my daughter again. You must lead the people and help them. They will ask what happened to me, and in my death offer an excuse for leaving. Say I knew I would die and wished to die outside the city, and that you and me took this one final trip. Lead them in their new path of life Jonas. I have taught you everything I know, but have saved one last memory for you until now." Jonas soon began to hear things, noises he had never heard before. The soft gentle lull of music swept over him, as the fading notes of the Giver's last memory passed into him. The Giver smiled, and then passed on into the beyond. Jonas began to cry, knowing that his friend was now

Works and Oppinions of Sir William Arthur Lewis Research Paper

Works and Oppinions of Sir William Arthur Lewis - Research Paper Example W. Arthur Lewis’ most famous input to development economics was his revolutionary work on the movement of labor from a conventional to a contemporary industrial region in circumstances of limitless supplies of labor. His famous piece of writing, â€Å"Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour†, written in 1954, contributed to the foundation of development economics as a specific area of study. It concentrated on the methods of shifting excess labor from conventional movement to a contemporary industrial region in environment of unrestricted supply of labor. In his model, earnings in the contemporary industrialist sector are not verified by the output of labor, ‘but by its opportunity cost’2. A conventional non-industrialist operational atmosphere - variously included peasants, artisanal manufacturers as well as domestic servants - increased by residents demands in addition to the entry of females into the labor force, gives the industrial zone with limi tless supplies of labor, on a salary fairly over the survival point. As one observes development in the segment, employment increases and share of earnings in national income increases as well3. Ultimately, as excess labor is drained, the income rate increases. At this time, the economy traverses the borderline, from a dual to a single incorporated labor market, and actual earnings increases with growing output, in reference to conventional expansion models. Lewis’ model gives an idea about lesser incomes and scarcity in a labor surplus economy will carry on so long as the opportunity cost of labor to the industrial sector continues to stay low. It as well served as an argument for government-directed industrialization plans during the years 1950s and 1960s, something Lewis disagreed all the way through his involvement with the United Nations. Lewis pressed on the case for industrialization by indicating the comparative benefit of labor surplus nations in industrialized activ ity. â€Å"Presented in The Industrial Development of the Caribbean in the year 1951, his argument was based on the success of Operation Bootstrap in Puerto Rico, where he had advocated the production of manufactured goods for domestic, regional and metropolitan markets. It was a radical position at a time when the agrarian economies of the West Indies had been historically structured to provide agricultural and other primary commodities to the colonial powers†4. The blow of the ‘Great Depression’ on the West Indies was a determining power on Arthur Lewis. Lewis did not intend to be a doctor or a public prosecutor - the two conservative ways to increasing social mobility. He noticed that he would like to be an engineer, â€Å"but neither the colonial government nor the sugar plantations would hire a black engineer†5. At 18 years of age, he takes admission at the London School of Economics (LSE) to get a Bachelor of Commerce degree. There, he comes across e conomics, a subject matter he noted, neither he nor any person in St. Lucia had ever heard of previously; it appeared, though, to be homework for employment in trade or public management. London, during 1930s and 1940s, was the academic centre of anti-colonial efforts as well as the assembly ground of individuals, afterwards many of whom would turn out to be potential leaders of the recently autonomous states of Africa and Asia. Within London, meeting associates ‘anti-imperialists from all over the world’, started a organized study of the British colonial realm in addition to its. Lewis dealt with the crisis of

Sociology Character Analysis of Sex and the City Term Paper

Sociology Character Analysis of Sex and the City - Term Paper Example She is known for her distinct fashion sense particularly in footwear which is conspicuous in season four where she is invited to be a part of a New York fashion show. She stays in an apartment and works on her PowerBook where she writes newspaper articles discussing the different aspects of a relationship. In subsequent seasons of the show, she comes up with a collection of her essays as a book and commences taking assignments from Vogue which is a New York Magazine. The show portrays her as a home-person, proud of her one-bedroom in a rent-disciplined apartment which is in an Upper East Side brownstone. Though she has always been in long-term relationships with her boyfriends, she is entangled with a character called Mr. Big, played by Chris Noth who deciphers a complicated and multi-faceted on an off relationship. Carrie Bradshaw seems like a sexually liberated woman and a glamorous exemplar of modern femininity. She is a wonderful sex columnist who does not need men for any sort of support or stability in life as she has a strong bond with the rest of the pals she lives with. She has encouraged females across the world to have a bold ownership on their femininity. Although, a raunchy dude-like talk is a part of Carrie's accent which is associated with her male player counterparts, she never fails to witness a soft, feminine side of her personality when her heart was broken. Feminism Feminism may be construed in many ways to many people. It refers to the theory of unjustly inequality to men because of the social meaning of their bodies (Faulconer). As a result, feminism can be referred to as the system of thought or a movement which incorporates a variety of views on the nature of women as they believe in a pluralistic vision of the world which equally regards importance to the experiences of women of all races and classes (Richards, 1992). Carrie is a successful woman, and she considers identity on the top as the development of a sense of self is an important aspect if one needs to concept his values, abilities and hopes for the future (Arnett, 2001, p. 370). Being a media person, she has successfully witnessed the tool kits of possibilities for most of the dimensions such as work, love and idiosyncrasies. She, being an independent person, never preferred anybody else to take hold of her life. This is evident from an episode of Season four of the 'Sex and the Ci ty' series, when the girls meet up for lunch in order to catch up and Carrie reveals that she and Aidan have exchanged keys to each other's apartments. When she comes back home she discovers Aidan cooking in her kitchen which was never used before. Furthermore, her computer was crashed and the access of several files was denied. She was chastised by Aidan for not backing up her material. Though, they go to a computer repairing shop so in order to get her system repaired, the

Journal 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 4

Journal 1 - Essay Example Human resource planning aims at forecasting the labor demand, managing staff number, ensuring that the competencies match the roles assigned and balancing the labor supply and demand in the organization. With human resources planning, the organization is able to adapt to the changing labor and work environment (Sekhri, 2010). Recruitment refers to the process of attracting many competent employees with suitable qualifications to apply for suitable jobs in a certain organization. Recruitment aims at balancing labor with the work available in the organization by appealing to interested individuals with proper qualifications to ask for the existing opportunities. Selection follows the process of recruitment. Selection refers to the process of picking out the most suitable and qualified individuals within the group of applicants to work in a certain position in the organization. It is one of the most significant processes within an organization, as it helps in choosing the most competent employees for an empty position (Sparrow, 2007). In conclusion, human resource planning, recruitment and selection are some of the most crucial processes in an organization for they provide the best employees that ensure success within the company. Therefore, these processes must be conducted carefully and by professionals to ensure that the organization succeeds (Louw, 2013). Sparrow, P. R. (2007). Globalization of HR at function level: four UK-based case studies of the international recruitment and selection process. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 18(5),

Tomorrow’s “Smart” technologies will improve everyday life Essay Example for Free

Tomorrow’s â€Å"Smart† technologies will improve everyday life Essay Smart Technology devices would be able to change and improve human life to an extent of having more comfortable home, productive school and a more efficient workplace. Smart Technology devices are systems that used some of the highest level of technology available to man.   These devices are aware of the environment they function.   They are also capable of reacting to certain situations that may arise in the environment (Worden, 2003).   SMART systems are very useful devices, as they would understand the environment they are functioning.    In this paper, we would be looking at how SMART devices could be useful to human beings and make our daily life easier. Let’s now look at the various functions of Smart devices.   It can protect itself from certain eventualities that may arise in the environment.   A car having a smart system is able to detect any vehicle when it gets too close and automatically applies the brakes, so that not only is the car protected, but also most importantly is the user.   Another way in which the smart device would be protecting itself is from a fire.   Several buildings have an automatic fire management system that is able to detect a fire and control it.   Such a system would also be protecting the users (Worden, 2003 Bishop, 2007). A smart device is capable of repairing itself, limiting the damage.   Several smart systems have a repair mechanism that is able to identify damage done on itself, and accordingly repair or limit the damage.   For example, if a computer system has been affected by a virus attack, the systems have embedded software that is able to identify the corrupted files and accordingly isolate or delete them.   In this way, the intelligence of the system would be helping it to work better in the future (Worden, 2003). Another important use of a Smart device is that it is capable of identifying changes that occur in the environment and accordingly adapt to those changes.   The smart device contains several portions, namely the input channels (which may include several sensors), the input system, the interface devices, the central unit or the microcontroller (which contains the microprocessor), the interface, and the output unit.   The input unit contains several sensors to detect the presence of a specific user (Casciati, 2004 Gardner, 2005).    For example, a fingerprint device contains sensors that are able to recognize the user.   Otherwise sensors are able to detect changes that occur in the environment such as temperature changes, pressure changes, stress levels, etc.   A Smart Air conditioner would automatically sense the environmental settings and accordingly change the settings according to the preferences of the user.   The SMART system is in fact similar to the human nervous system.   Like the human parts, it contains sense organs that are able to sense the external data. This is then transferred to the brain or the central processor through nerve connections that carry signals.   When the information reaches the brain or the central processor, it gets processed through several methods such as filtering, organizing, computation, preferences, problem solving, decision-making, scoring, tabulating, and sorting out.   The data, which is processed, may be stored in the SMART system and/or may be transmitted to the connections to the external environment.   The microprocessor present in the system is capable of performing a number of computational tasks (Casciati, 2004 Gardner, 2005). Several of the Smart Devices has several embedded software that enable it to function better and to optimize the functioning.   Nowadays, the development of microchips and microprocessor has been phenomenonal.   They have several algorithms within them, which help to perform the tasks faster and more effectively.   The systems are capable of communicating with the user in a two-way manner.   The process of sending information from one part of the system to another is highly complicated and a refinery would help to transfer the information more efficiently. Some systems also utilize a diagnostics tool to ensure that if any problem exists, the mechanic can be informed immediately of the nature of the problem.   This would ensure that the user does not have any inconveniences if the system goes wrong.   The reporting in a SMART device is of two types, namely predictable (which may occur over a period of time) and unexpected.   As they are able to report both, they are very useful for application (Cougias, 2003 Gardner, 2005).   The smart systems may be very easy to operate and upgrade in case the user wants to have the latest version. Today’s SMART systems are becoming hybrid in nature.   They can perform several tasks rapidly at the same time.   The smart system should be able to function in the predicted manner in real life situations.   It is just not enough for the system to function in the laboratory or the manufacturers office.   It is very important for the manufacturer to know what environment the use would be having, and accordingly test the Smart system.   Research and development would help build a faster, better and a more effective system.   The SMART system should be able to perform several functions simultaneously.   A number of algorithms should be handled. The system should be flexible during functioning.   It should be able to adapt to conditions that prevail in the environment so that the user would be benefited.   Having a Smart system embedded in a device has several advantages.   It could help reduce the amount of energy or power consumed by the device.   Hence, the operational costs could be reduced. It could also help prolong the life of the system, as sensors that would be able to detect non-use and automatically switch of the system.   Only the rightful user can access the system.   The Smart system would permit only the rightful user to enter it, and hence the system would be secure, safe and protected.   In case several users are accessing the device, the system can be setup in such a way that one user would be able to access only the relevant information.   Some of the ways in which the user identity can be recognized includes finger print screening, corneal scans and username passwords (Casciati Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). Compared to regular technology, smart technology has several benefits.   The cost of operations is reduced using smart technology.   Smart technology is able to identity any problems that exist during operations and would sort them out effectively.   In this way the cost of operations may be reduced.   Newer technology is more effective than older ones in reducing the costs and processors are becoming more and more advanced and efficient (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004 Gardner, 2005). Smart devices are able to save electricity, energy and power.   This is because they have sensors that are able to detect non-use.   If the user is not using the system for a stipulated time, the system is automatically shut down (Casciati).   As the smart system save energy it is also environmentally friendly, preventing unnecessary damage to the environment (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). Smart systems are very flexible and can adapt to a number of conditions that prevail in the environment.   This effectively makes the system more and more user—friendly. The lifespan of the devices or the machine can be extended as whenever it not in use, it is automatically shutdown.   Besides, the system can also maintain itself effectively. It would signal for replacements or care from a mechanic. Another important benefit of a smart system is that it is able to understand its environment.   It employs computational methods and the use of sensors to gain data from the environment.   However, it is very important to know that awareness of the environment and automatically responding to it is not a straightforward task.   It may take sometime to develop this.   As the systems are becoming more and more advance, they are finding it easier to understand the environment they function in.   A system may take time to learn the various situations that prevail in the environment.   Once it is able to do so, it can perform even complicated tasks (Worden, 2003). The smart system helps to reduce the labor cost and the manpower required.   The human resources required to maintain the system would also be minimal (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). It may be very easy to upgrade a smart system.   Nowadays this may be possible by the installation of software and up gradation packs.   They also do not require the knowledge and skills of an expert to upgrade (Hydrocarbon Engineering, 2004). Smart systems can be utilized in a number of situations including schools, home, workplace, industry, space, offices, shopping, roads, hospitals, buildings, vehicles, oil refineries, banks, etc.   It can be said that in all these situations, Smart systems may help to improve overall everyday life.   Within the next two decades, SMART systems would be changing several devices and aspects of our lives including computers, machines, processes, power, vehicles, etc (Cetron, 1997). In the homes, they could be utilized to wash our clothes, prepare food according to the individual tastes and preferences and even perform other tasks daily as required by the user. In the school, the smart system could be utilized in a virtual reality environment to help the student attend classes and interact with the teachers and other students.   They could help students to express their creative skills and learn languages faster and more effectively (Negroponte Papert, 2007). At the workplace Smart system could be utilized in fingerprinting devices, so as to identity a particular staff member and give him/her access to a particular system.   The staff members could utilize the smart systems to perform effective computational tasks, manage the workflow and manage several operational processes that may occur in the organization. Some of the fields in which Smart systems are utilized include telecommunications, banking, education, automobiles, interior decoration, architecture, entertainment, engineering, healthcare, etc.   They find application in almost any device, such as security system, fire detection and control systems, computers, mobiles, cars, motorcycles, microwaves, washing machines, airplanes, etc.   Smart system could be utilized in a traffic management system.   They could be utilized in the healthcare sector to monitor the condition of the patient and inform the doctor of the status.   With respect to vehicles, smart devices, could help control the speed of the vehicle and effectively brake when an accident is anticipated (Bishop, 2007). Voice to text is a system in which the individual is able to offer oral commands to the computer, and the computer would be converting it into a text format.   The computer can be told of the tasks that should be performed, and the individual can be later reminded of what he/she should be doing.   Effectively, voice recognition systems have replaced keyboards.   It may be initially difficult for the system to identify and transcribe the voice of an individual.   However, over a period of time, the computer would do this task more efficiently and rapidly. Voice to text translation systems are very useful in an educational environmental and also to train the staff embers at the workplace.   Studies have shown that the current voice to text systems may be only 90 to 95 % accurate.   However, with time more and more advanced systems are being manufactured, that are able to reach an almost 100 % accuracy rate.   The system would also be useful for individuals with disabilities.   Such a system could easily help to learn a foreign language (Tech Learning, 2007). Another way smart system would be improving everyday life is by the use of compact computing devices such as laptops, pocket PCs, Tablet PCs, PDA and mobiles.   These computing device should possess certain characteristics such as: Compactness Cost effective Security Have a long span Waterproof Should be able to withstand accidents that the child may face whilst playing Should be able to be connected to the network Should be able to access any person across the globe Should have an expandable memory Should be able to make calls Should be light-weight Students and children from schools and colleges would benefit hugely from having a compact computing system.   It would offer a greater amount of mobility and flexibility.   However, there are several problems that exist with the use of these devices, which need to be sorted out.   These include short battery life, ease in decoding the password, extreme costs, and difficulty for current users to use the system. Wireless connectivity would definitely help the system to remain connected to the Internet and other systems throughout the world.   Teachers and students could hugely benefit by having a virtual classroom.   Physicians and doctors are also finding it very convenient to use palm-top devices such as PDA’s to chart the patient’s history and follow-up the cases.   As these devices have smart technology, the physician could be prompted in cases certain extra precautions need to be taken   (Tech Learning, 2007, Negroponte Papert, 2007, Reinsel, 2005). Computers containing smart technology can be utilized to perform complicated tasks know as ‘hybrid computing’.   The size of the microprocessors are becoming smaller and smaller, and the tasks they are performing are becoming more and more complicated.   They are also able to perform several tasks simultaneously.   Virtual reality is an environment in which an individual can perform certain tasks and function. A simple folder of a computer could be considered as a virtual reality.   Virtual reality was first described about 2 decades back.   Several computer organizations are coming up with highly complicated virtual systems.   A Virtual environment could help educate students.   An entire classroom can be conducted in a virtual environment   (Tech Learning, 2007 Gardner, 2005). Several systems contain artificial intelligence that would help them perform several tasks including teaching students, computing input signals and decoding data.   Artificial intelligence has several applications.   They could be utilized to test the intelligence levels of the students.   Some of these systems may be about 99 % reliable   (Tech Learning, 2007).   Microsoft has been thinking of developing user interfaces.   Computers that have better sense systems are being developed.   Eric Horvitz, Researcher at Microsoft Corporation and Jack Breese, Assistant Director of Microsoft Corporation in their interview with Discovery are able to provide more information about new user interfaces and the manner in which it could be utilize to handle emails and other communication methods.   One of their products known as ‘Look out’ is a new SMART system program that informs the user about emails, messages and schedules. It is a very effective tool to sort out messages utilizing a voice-based system (Horvitz Breese, 2007).   Berners-Lee, the Director of the WWW Consortium has developed newer and more intelligent systems to help store, access and transmit over the Internet.   This newer type of Internet would be known as ‘Semantic World’.   It is a highly intelligent system that would use very intelligent software so that the information is more secure.   This has very strong applications for use in banking, healthcare, etc.   This could also help in management of disasters and epidemics.   Several organizations that are utilizing Semantic systems feel this kind of technology could help change human lives (Berners-Lee, 2007). Smart technology could also be utilized to develop and express creative skills of the individual.   Several software such as moviemaker, are able to help one improve their creative skills.   The system itself would suggest ideal changes that would help to improve the quality and the appearance of the picture or the video short   (Tech Learning, 2007). One of the main areas in which smart technology is utilized is in fingerprint technology.   This field is mainly required by law-enforcing agencies and forensics organizations.   Earlier it was a very tough and meticulous job to identify an individual’s fingerprint.   However, nowadays, smart devices can virtually do it in a matter of seconds.   A database containing the fingerprints of several individuals may be stored, and when a given fingerprint is to be identified, it can be compared to various fingerprints that are present in the database   (Tech Learning, 2007). Smart devices could also help students that have certain problems during learn to overcome these difficulties.   During learning some students may experience a difficulty in a portion of the brain.   Utilizing a computer may identify this.   The computer would suggest ways in which this problem could be solved.   Psychologists would be closely coordinating such cases   (Tech Learning, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lastly, it can be proved that Smart technology is helping to make human lives easier. At present Smart technology is still in the infancy stage. Soon Smart technology would be able to help human beings much more than they are doing today. They would be more reliable and trustworthy. A lot of research and developments need to be conducted in order to improve and help advance this very useful form of technology. Although, Smart Technology is in the infancy stages it has demonstrated that it could really do unbelievable things. Thus it can safely be said that SMART technology would be able to change and also improve human life to a very large extent, at home, the school, college and the workplace.   It would certainly help to improve comfort and efficiency levels (This answers the thesis question).       References: Books: Bishop, R. (2005), Intelligent Vehicle Technology And Trends, US: Artech.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book written by Richard Bishop demonstrates how SMART technology can be utilized in cars and other vehicles.   The book shows how SMART technology could be utilized to increase the driver safety, reduce the strain on the driver, etc.   It concentrates on several aspects such as costs, user-friendliness, etc.   As the book concentrates on how to improve driver safety and the strain on the driver, it would certain helps meet the thesis statement of improving comfort levels and making human life easier and safer.   The author concentrates on various aspects such as cost, user-friendliness, acceptance, etc.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.amazon.com/Intelligent-Vehicle-Technology-Trends-Library/dp/1580539114/ref=sr_1_8/002-8224583-7909648?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1187180326sr=8-8 Cetron, M. Davies, O. (1997), Probable Tomorrows: How Science and Technology Will Transform Our Lives in the Next Twenty Years, St. Mary’s Press. http://www.amazon.com/Probable-Tomorrows-Science-Technology-Transform/dp/0312154291/ref=sr_1_28/002-8224583-7909648?ie=UTF8s=booksqid=1187180609sr=8-28   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This book provides an insight of how technology could affect various aspects, processes and objects that we utilize in our daily life.   The presentation by Cetron is a very good one and needs to form a part of a book collection on SMART Technology.   She concentrates on the technological developments in the field of computers, building technology, power generation and vehicles.   The author makes predictions of the future in SMART technology and also suggests that the technology would have immense amount of benefits for humans.   In this way, it can be said that the author is contributing towards the thesis statement, in proving that SMART could include the comfort levels in various sphere of life. Casciati, F., Rossi, R. (2004), In. Holnicki-Szulc, J. Soares, C.A.M. (Ed), Advances In Smart Technologies In Structural Engineering, New York: Springer. http://books.google.com/books?id=vJPjorqGsIwCpg=PA1ots=TdVRc3L7WTdq=smart+technologiessig=q7drMwwfLh2-rtJuiKa_aFrdAMQ#PPP11,M1   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The chapter throws more light on the use of fuzzy logic and sensor devices to help make lives easier.   The designing of sensor network and fuzzy logic systems have also been mentioned.   Besides, information of embedded microcontroller and microprocessors are also mentioned.   Certain information motioned in the book has been collected from a conference organized in Poland in the year 2003.   This technology is utilized to make Buildings in Europe smarter and user friendly.   In this way, the book is helping to meet with the thesis statement in making our lives more comfortable and easier.

First Order Change In Organizational System

First Order Change In Organizational System This study discusses the impact of change in the organization towards management and the challenges that the company have to face. This study used two main methodologies, namely: case study and interviews. A case study was used to study on the change of the organization which is based on first-order change. In addition, an interview was used to study the perception of the management towards decision making on changing. In order to achieve this objective, in-depth interviews were conducted with Assistant General Manager and the Marketing Executive of the Company. The change of organization can be seen through changing system in multi-level marketing to single-level marketing. The result from this study has been analyzed using observational method, structured interviews, and analysis of documents, in order to identify the impact from change system. It is expected that the findings of this study will give a clear understanding and awareness of the various challenges in managing effectiv e management towards change system. Keywords: First-order Change, Challenges In Changing Introduction This research project was conducted at Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (EEMSB), a Bumiputera owned company that markets health products produced by a network company named as Kumpulan Syarikat Doktor Azizan (KUSDA) situated in Jitra, Kedah. EEMSB is also one of a company under KUSDA apart from other support companies such as Homeopathic Laboratories (M) Sdn. Bhd. (HOMEOLAB), also the producer of most of the products of EEMSB, KUSKAMEI the producer of spices, Printing Era PDA (PEPDA) producing printed materials, Centre for Homeopathic Medicine Biochemistry PDA (PPHB) which is based on the homeopathic treatment clinic and biochemistry, College of Homeopathy Chamber of institutions in the field of alternative medicine and homeopathy and biochemical UNA Beauty House of Beauty Care Centers Face. Found by the late Prof Dr Azizan Bin Ismail, mainly focused to market health products developed by him which based on homeopathic medicine known as Biochemistry Schuessler, Herbalisme and Aromatherapy. Products marketed by EEMSB are based on the concept of Halalan Toyyiba which is a part of Islamic halal products and good for health. They have received many compliments because of its effectiveness is being proven successful. ListenRead phonetically   Dictionary View detailed dictionary By using the image of Prof. Dr Azizan as a trade mark and immortalize him on the products logo, EEMSB is now widely known throughout Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. Even though the company was established in 2001 but actually the business had started since 30 years ago when the founder has marketed the products through his clinic which was operated in Jitra, Kedah. Later in 1985, he had made a stepping stone to appoint one of the companys based in Kuala Lumpur to be his distributor. This joint-venture business has carried out until 1989, when the late Prof. Dr Azizan had set up Sistem Era Edar Sdn. Bhd. known as SEE on the same year. At that time SEE was the company which deal the business located at Bandar Darul Aman which was known as Tanah Merah, Jitra. The business was conducted in conventional method and the distributor was appointed to distribute the products to certain areas or locations. This direct selling business has started when SEE is formed only on July 18th in 1991. In 1998, during the economic crisis, the company had no profit and faced loss because of the situation, which lead to retrenchment of some of the workers. Nevertheless, with the remain workers, the business is still active whereby, Prof. Dr Azizan , has formed a company name as Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (EEMSB) on the April 1st in 2001. EEMSB is placed as the headquarters for the Group Companies of Dr Azizan (KUSDA), now consists of 125 workers from the KUSDA and from the nine service centres in Malaysia by the concepts of multi level marketing. Literature review Change defined as an effort that consists of actual physical changes to operations and different emotional stimulation (Bernerth, 2004) is painful in the workplace, going from what is certain and known to the otherwise. So, organizational change is typically conceptualized as moving from the status quo to a new, desired, configuration to better match the environment. Change therefore can be seen as a departure from the norm or alternatively as normal and simply a natural response to environmental and internal conditions (Bernerth, 2004). Change is about adaptation and resiliency while maintenance is about continuing activities, structure and function. However the change of the organization might be first-order change or second-order change and this paper attempts to reveal the change of organizational is based on first-order change. First-order incremental change may involve adjustment in system, processes or structures but it does not involve fundamental change in strategy, core values or corporate identity (Palmer, 2009). Comparing with second-order change that is more radically transform. For Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd. the first-order change that they have being made is based on a few factors that we will be revealed. 3.0 Research Methodology Data collection involved interviewing with General Assistant Manager, Dr. (H) Mazelan Bin Ismail and Marketing Executive by Dr. (H) Che Normawan Bt Idris. All these data collection techniques have used observational methods, structured interviews, and analysis of documents. A qualitative design and Open Question was used in the interview. The research question was: why company makes a decision to change their system and how they cope with the challenges that came from company itself, members and distributors. Based on the questions, objective for the research was developed to create a clear understanding towards this research. It is related to three parts: perception from the organization change, impact from the organization change, implementation of organizational change. Objective 1: why they choose the system (Single Level Marketing) and how the members perception from the change? Objective 2: aimed to enquire to what extent the impact of the organization change and how the member and distributor accept the change? Objective 3: what is the strategy they used to implement the organization change? During interview, we conducted semi structured and audio-taped interviews with an average duration of 60 minutes. Two different interview questionnaires were used one interview questionnaire for General Assistant Manager that is more to the managerial question, the other one was for Executive marketing which is more to outside challenges. Topics covered in both interview questionnaires were the same with few different questions for each group of interviewees. Open-ended questions were carefully worded to be as neutral as possible without creating awkward situation or offending interviewees. Interview questionnaires for both interviewees were pilot tested to check whether there is any ambiguity or confusion of questions. 4. 0 Research Findings 4.1 Multi level marketing concepts Prior to this, when Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (EEMSB) used multi level marketing as their operation system, it is more to the head hunting concepts which is finding the person or agent or down line people to expand the business. If there is no one join, the company cannot growth well because of the strength of the program lies in the number of new members who join in and not totally depends on the product itself. However, repeat purchase will occur if the featured products have a quality and useful towards customers. The concepts of multi level marketing can be seen as:Read phonetically  Dictionary View detailed dictionaryRead phonetically  Dictionary View detailed dictionar The Company will take or appoint an individual as a member of the company or being as distributor to distribute the goods. Member or distributor concerned will appoint another individual (down line) to form their own network to sell a company products. Recruitment of new members or new distributors can be continued until its reach a certain level. Each member or distributors will get commissions / bonuses / incentives from private sales and the sales or distributors in the network (over-riding bonus). Figure 1: Multi Level Marketing Member 1 COMPANY Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd Supplier / Distributor Member 2 Member 3 Member 1 Member 2 Member 3 Supplier / Distributor Multi Level Marketing In this strategy, the seller recruits other distributors or sales people, and also receives commissions and bonuses on the sales they make. Down liners are necessary to increase the sales force, and thus generate a huge number of sales. 4.2 Single-level marketing concepts For the new system that EEMSB implementing now is known as single level marketing. Single Level Marketing (SLM) is a compensation plan for direct selling in which sales associates are paid only for their own personal sales activity. They do not recruit other sales representative and derive income from them as in a multi-level marketing (MLM) organization. The concepts of single level marketing can be seen as:Read phonetically  Dictionary View detailed dictionaryRead phonetically  Dictionary View detailed dictionar The company will appoint a sales representative or the sales agent and pay salaries or commissions or by the combination of salary and commission from the sale made. Sales representatives / sales agents were not allowed to nominate or sponsor sales representative and agent of the other sales. Figure 2: Single Level Marketing COMPANY Era Edar Marketing Sdn.Bhd Supplier / Distributor member Retailer Single level marketing- rewards the sellers for their personal sales activity. They do not sponsor any other member or distributorship or sales personal. Income from the business based on commission or bonus after sale of the products. 4.3 Change system and challenges Various aspects needs to be taken into consideration in assuming that types of organizational changes can be neatly categorized as small, adaptive, and incremental compared to those that are large and transformational. Mental frameworks, individual perspectives, the extent to which a change is directly relevant to a person and his or her activities, and the degree to which he or she accepts the need for change will all influence how the change is viewed. Here we choose to view from the management and members of the company. In view of the changes made by the company of Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd., Multi Level Marketing (MLM) changed to Single Level Marketing (SLM), an aspect of similarity by both are subject to the same Direct Sales Act 1993 in which this Act is to make provision for the licensing of those who carry out direct selling business, the regulation of direct sales and for other matters connected therewith. The concept of direct selling is where individuals were trained to understand their role not only on sales or sponsorship, but also it provides a unique channel to customers and consumers in accordance with the requirements at the time. Therefore, sellers are more alert and focused to meet the needs of users in the process of purchasing and selecting products. Advantages to members or distributors in direct selling activities are that they can become leaders to themselves, manage their own time, getting paid or the income of their own efforts, close ties and expand the number of their contacts. For the concept of MLM, the activities carried out require a lot of documentation. The three main purposes in this concept are to use, sell and sponsor. The management is only required to provide information and guidance to the major distributors to market the product. Distributors need to find and appoint down liners to market the product. This method not only promotes the growth of the company to grow in terms of membership but also users of the products. In MLM system, the bonus is based on sales made due and payable each month. It is in the form of incentives on sales made by down liners. For this method, the dealer does not have to work hard to get rewards. In this case the product will not change. Compared with SLM system, it involves three stages, using, selling and sponsoring. For SLM method, all levels, whether distributors or down liners should make one for the benefits and returns that can be redeemed immediately. Returns or benefits provided in the form of discounts or points. For this method, the distributor or down liners are equal. Business through the SLM method is simpler, easier, and does not involve down liners. It encourages more people to trade and indirectly over the companies and product output.ListenRead phoneticall   Dictionary View detailed dictionary Listen Read phonetically Dictionary View detailed dictionary Translate any website Nord-Cinema-France News.de-Germany El Confidencial-Spain Tom.com-China Spiegel Online-Germany Venezuela Tuya-Spanish Focus Online-Germany Onet.pl-Polish Pà ºblico.es-Spain à §Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ¢â‚¬  Ãƒ ¦Ã‚  Ã‚ ½-Japan NouvelObs-France Sueddeutsche.de-Germany Do more with Google Translate Listen Read phonetically Dictionary View detailed dictionary Translate any website Nord-Cinema-France News.de-Germany El Confidencial-Spain Tom.com-China Spiegel Online-Germany Venezuela Tuya-Spanish Focus Online-Germany Onet.pl-Polish Pà ºblico.es-Spain à §Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ¢â‚¬  Ãƒ ¦Ã‚  Ã‚ ½-Japan NouvelObs-France Sueddeutsche.de-Germany Do more with Google Translate Recently used: Malay > English English > Malay Malay > Malay Detect language Afrikaans Albanian Arabic Armenian Azerbaijani Basque Belarusian Bulgarian Catalan Chinese Croatian Czech Danish Dutch English Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician Georgian German Greek Haitian Creole Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Icelandic Indonesian Irish Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Macedonian Malay Maltese Norwegian Persian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swahili Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese Welsh Yiddish Listen Read phonetically Dictionary View detailed dictionary Translate any website Nord-Cinema-France News.de-Germany El Confidencial-Spain Tom.com-China Spiegel Online-Germany Venezuela Tuya-Spanish Focus Online-Germany Onet.pl-Polish Pà ºblico.es-Spain à §Ã¢â‚¬ ºÃ¢â‚¬  Ãƒ ¦Ã‚  Ã‚ ½-Japan NouvelObs-France Sueddeutsche.de-Germany Do more with Google Translate 4.4 Management Implementation In making this change, the management has set a strategy of gradual and prudent so as not to dramatically affect the distributor, down liners, workers and goods sold. The management provides a period of one year to dealers to make changes in terms of incentives and the income derived from the proceeds of the sale. Typically, the bonus will be paid once a month but the new system, bonuses and incentives are given immediately. The main purpose of the changes made was to make the business carried on is based on the characteristics of Islamic business and non-conventional. Revenue earned income is more beneficial and all parties share profits and earn rewards and benefits equally. An important aspect of the researchers model is the concept of the order or magnitude of change. First-order change is change that is consistent with prevailing values and norms, meets with general agreement, and can be implemented using peoples existing knowledge and skills. A change becomes second-order when it is not obvious how it will make things better, it requires people to learn new approaches, or it conflicts with prevailing values and norms. Second-order changes require leaders to work far more deeply with staff and the business community. They can disrupt peoples sense of well-being and the co-operation and cohesion of the business community. They may confront and challenge expertise and competencies and throw people into states of conscious incompetence. Different perceptions about the implications of change mean that a change that appears to be a solution to one person can appear to be a problem for another. To the degree that individuals and/or stakeholder groups in the company or company system hold conflicting values, seek different norms, have different knowledge, or operate with varying mental models of business strategy, a proposed change might represent a first-order change for some and a second-order change for others (Waters, Marzano, and McNulty, 2003). Change and improvement of this sort takes conscious effort that is focused on clear outcomes, it takes the right set of conditions in the professional learning context, and it takes time. We cannot assume that because people appear to have learned, it follows that they will change their practice or that because they have changed their practice, it follows that every outcomes will improve. The company faces challenges in which not all distributors who received the positive changes made. Some of them have ceased to be a distributor because the feel there is an injustice towards those who have been longer in the business. The new system requires them to work together with down liners and equally be rewarded, where else the distributor feels they are pioneer and deserve more attention and privileges. In applying the SLM system, the management should augment its efforts to educate and provide information on all targets for this system is accepted and fully utilized. Objectives are to provide convenience to all parties. While, the use of the old system, the company need to only provide training and information to the distributor against the new system at all levels who are involved. Accordingly, companies should be more active and require more aggressive actions in order to provide training strategies and to be more detailed in explanations pertaining to systems and effective use of skills through wider media. Educators at all levels of the system need to test the impact of changed practices on the diverse learners for whom they are responsible, using inquiry skills to judge when their practice possesses the desired outcomes and when it is not necessary and need to be changed. When such evidence-based practices are firmly embedded, they can generate their own momentum. Each view of change described above reflects the fact that changes in beliefs and understanding are the foundation of achieving lasting reform (Fullan, 2007). However, Understanding can follow action (Spillane et al., 2002). Learning may be deeper when it follows attempts to try out new practices, and so both practices and beliefs need to be addressed through a continuous cycle of inquiry within and between educators communities of practice. In our cognitive framework, the nature of the changes sought by policy makers is also important because some changes involve more complex cognitive transformations for implementing agents than others. Focusing on the balance between continuity, growth, and loss, Marris (1975) identifies three levels of social change. The first level is incremental change, which requires little or no alteration of the extant purposes or expectations of the people undertaking the change. Such change can be incorporated into existing schemas and frameworks rather than undermining them. The second level requires changes in the growth of some of the changes worked, but still have goals and hopes to remain intact the changes sought by an innovation, the greater the extent to which existing schemes must be restructured to form coherent understandings of the new ideas. (Spillane et al., 2002). The third level of change represents loss for the implementing agent, in that it necessitates the discrediting of existing schemes and frameworks. This level of social change is the most difficult to achieve (Marris, 1975). For example, change the way of incentives and bonuses based on any particular sale or points earned during the period that is does not require changes in goals and expectations of the company itself. From the interviews conducted, we found that effective communication played a significant role in ensuring the system successfully operated. This, in turn impacted on the products volume and the number increased of the distributors. Communication is important among management and employees or distributors, and also in sustaining relationship among employees. Most of the interviewed employees concurred that listening skills, as part of effective communication, is one of the key competencies that the management ought to possess at all times. Before, during and after the implementation of change, management should listen to their employees and distributors opinions and understand their perspective and feelings on the imposed changes. This would further help management to introduce future organizational change. 5.0 suggestions This research has revealed suggestions for management in the direct selling industry recognized as volatile and vulnerable businesses to external environment as to take what actions in order to smoothly implement organizational change. Emphasis on action orientated implications is to ensure that all issues and concerns are acted upon immediately without procrastination. When a decision to apply organizational change occurs in the direct selling industry, managers as being responsible for the success of organizational change should pay attention to their communication approach with employees or distributors, distributors attitude, perception of managers actions, distributors motivation and continuous improvement of the working environment. Consequently, the following actions are suggested: Action 1: Realize the value of effective employees and distributors cooperation and collaboration, motivation in the workplace. Before implementing a change in the system, managers should understand that different individuals hold dissimilar opinions about change. Also, not all employees, distributors and member are outspoken and willing to be honest with their managers or up line that is management. Therefore, managers should have the initiative to interact with employees and keep them informed about any organizational change. By maintaining communication and listening to employees, and distributor managers can understand their unfulfilled needs and resistance to change. Thats where, in the unfreezing Lewins stage (Levasseur, 2001) the communication should be improved between managers, employees and distributors. Action 2: During the implementation of organizational change, which is the moving Lewins stage (Levasseur, 2001), managers should be able to understand employees and distributors attitudes, but also they should keep in mind Conners (1998) stages of human cycle of negative response in related industry, such as stability, immobilization and denial. As leaders, managers should guide and direct employees along the organizational change process, be aware of importance of employees motivation to proceed with change, and be receptive to new ideas that come from employees. Listening and explaining to employees is a necessary process to convince them about the projected benefits that are expected from the introduced change. Action 3: As soon as the change is implemented, which is the refreezing Lewins stage (Levasseur, 2001) managers should continue to communicate with employees about the change implemented. This will promote an open exchange of ideas and information among all parties. By being attentive, managers can discover to what extent change affects employees especially distributors and take corrective actions immediately to support them. For example, managers should be aware that although organizational change impacts that bring positive results into the related industry do not necessarily bring positive outcome to their distributors. Change of a working system especially in selling and marketing the product may increase employees income with extra workload creating fatigue and low spirits. To distributors this is such a challenge for them to work hard than the old days just sponsoring the down liners to get benefits. We can conclude that, before the change occurs it seems important for managers to have thorough analysis of the implementation of organizational change to enable to determine at extent the change is beneficial to both management performance and employees. Since the direct selling industry requires a high labour input, management should pay attention to different kinds of impacts imposed on employees. They should, in particularly, keep in mind employees motivation create an environment that encourages employees to accept change and sustain the companys product competitiveness. 6.0 Summary Research has been done in Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd., we identified that observational method, structured interview and analysis of document is used in research. We found the company is using first order change. Hence we recommend three action plans should be implemented in order to enhance the development of the Company. Methods are as employees motivation, accept change and sustain product competitiveness. As a conclusion, this study was done successfully and had achieved its objectives to study on how SLM works in the company. We found that effective communication played a significant role in ensuring the system successfully operated. Communication is important among management and employees or distributors, and also in sustaining relationship among employees. Understanding the people involve and communication are part of effectiveness of the implementation the system. 7. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Era Edar Marketing Sdn. Bhd. (EEMSB), for their support and permission in providing the research grant for us to study about the change in organization in order to complete our research and achieve the objective of this course.

Assets Of Commercial Bank In Nepal Analysis

Assets Of Commercial Bank In Nepal Analysis The aim of this project is to assess the level of non-performing assets and its repercussions in overall financial stability of commercial bank in Nepal through the comparison between proper Nepali bank and the joint venture bank. The specific objectives are : To determine the extent to which commercial banks face potential financial instability because of non-performing assets. To identify the mechanisms by which commercial banks control non-performing assets. To identify successful and unsuccessful measures in relation to recover and mobilization of non-performing assets of commercial bank. To find out Whether or not Nepalese Commercial Banks are following rules and regulations of NRB (Nepal Rastra Bank) regarding their lending, especially to maintain the provision for NPA? To enumerate and examine the level of NPA to total assets, total lending and total deposit of these two commercial banks. To identify the internal and external factors affecting on the growth of NPA? To identify the effects of Non-Performing Assets on ROA and ROE of these two commercial banks. To identify which bank has high level of non- performing assets To make recommendations as to how commercial banks might improve their efforts in relation to minimization of non-performing assets. These objectives will be achieved by addressing the following research questions: Which bank, proper nepali bank or joint venture bank, is actively seeking to minimize risks of non-performing assets? When did non-performing assets start showing impacts in the bank? What resources do the banks devote to control non-performing assets? Who decides on this resource allocation? How do banks seek to control non-performing assets? Is non-performing asset increasing amongst banks? What is the degree of increment of non-performing asset in proper Nepali commercial bank and joint venture bank? What percentage of total assets and total lending is occupying by NPAs of Nepalese commercial banks? How does non-performing assets effects on return on total assets (ROA) and shareholders equity (ROE)? What are major internal factors, external factors and other main causes to growth of NPA? To compare the percentage of non-performing assets of these commercial banks in different time period. Which measure (or measures) in particular has been effective in curbing non-performing assets of commercial banks? What factors contribute to a successful management of non-performing assets? Are increased non-performing assets retaining provisions considered to be good news for all banks or only for particular banks? Do the valuation implications of non-performing assets vary across banks? The Context and Background of the Proposal: The proposal is to concentrate on two commercial banks of Nepal: Rastriya Banijya Bank (a proper Nepali bank) and Everest Bank Limited (a joint venture bank); RBB and EBL respectively in acronyms. These are the two main banks operating in the banking industry in the expanding economy of Nepal. Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) is fully government owned, and the largest commercial bank in Nepal. RBB was established on January 23, 1966 (2022 Magh 10 BS) under the RBB Act. Now, the bank is running under bank and financial institute act 2063. RBB has been contributing to socio-economic development of the country for the last four and half decades. The Bank has currently entered into 46 years of service. RBB provides various banking services to a wide range of customers;  they include elite to poor individuals, institutional customers, and the customers  from industry / business communities. RBB has many correspondent arrangements with major international banks all over the world that facilitate trade finance, bank-originated personal funds transfers and interbank funds transfer. The bank has played crucial role for the development of financial sector i.e. bank, insurance companies through its promoters role. As a second commercial bank of the country, the bank has been contribut ing in the trade, industry and agricultural sector of the country. The bank has also contributed in the hydropower sector. Health and Education sector are also benefitted through its disbursement. As a government owned bank the bank is also contributing towards achieving national goals as per the government directives. The bank has made significant contribution in the development of private sector either by loan disbursement or  by active participation in the fairs organized by industrial and business communities. A leading commercial bank of Nepal established in the year 1994 in joint venture with Punjab National Bank, India, Everest Bank Limited (EBL) started its operation with a view and objective of extending professionalized and efficient banking services to various segments of the society. Punjab National Bank (PNB), EBLs joint venture partner (holding 20% equity in the bank) is the largest nationalized bank in India. With its presence virtually in all the important centres at Nepal, EBL offers a wide variety of banking services which include corporate and personal banking, industrial finance, agricultural finance, financing of trade and international banking. The large presence and vast resource base have helped the Bank to build strong links with trade and industry. These two banks make for an interesting comparison since they are both leading commercial banks with large number of clients, covering a diverse range of commercial sectors. They both share the bad news associated with increased provisions, preempted by loan default and increases in non-performing loans. The bad news in loan loss provisions is most likely to occur when fourth quarter audits correct under-provisioning relative to increases in non-performing loans during the first three quarters of the fiscal year which found the common victim in RBB and EBL. In contrast to EBL, the bad news stems from management exercising power over loan-loss provisions and their engagement in protection of larger numbers of defaulters in RBB. The disclosure of RBB as having more potential threats of increase in non-performing assets to EBL is hugely credited to the flexibility for efficient contracting provisions. At the time when economic activities are growing rapidly throughout the country, it is most uphill task for the banks to manage and curb non-performing assets. Moreover, political instability has resulted in more cases of commercial loans defaulting. Interestingly, consumer loans are hardly non-performing given to the rise of middleclass and service industry. But this trend differs in both EBL and RBB. This study purposes to underscore the importance of management of non-performing assets of RBB and EBL while comparing the provisions and their outcome in banking sector. Preliminary Literature Review Investment theory defines non-performing asset as â€Å"a debt obligation where the borrower has not  paid  any  previously agreed upon  interest and principal repayments to the designated lender for an extended period of time. The non-performing asset is therefore not yielding any income to the lender in the form of principal and interest payments. Non-performing asset has become the major problem in investment banking since the inception of banking service itself. Literature devoted to the cause and effect of non-performing assets of banks concentrates mainly over the consequence and overall impact on the systematic wellbeing of bank due to the rise of non-performing assets. In the article â€Å"Differential Valuation Implications of Loan Loss Provisions across Banks and Fiscal Quarters Chi-Chun Liu(1997) concentrates over the impact of loan loss provisions in market: â€Å"Prior research finds that, on average, the market reacts positively to loan loss provisions conditional on less discretionary information about loan default, such as non-performing loans and loan write-offs (133). Lius finding holds across different model specifications and study periods, despite radical changes in the banking industry over time. Liu finds that loan loss provisions are good news only for banks with loan portfolios that contain a high proportion of loans for which loss provisions require judgment and discretion on a loan-by-loan basis (e.g., commercial loa ns) rather than using statistical methods (e.g., consumer loans). A substantial body of research sought to confirm managements role regarding loan default. James M. Wahlens(1994) study in â€Å"The Nature of Information in Commercial Bank Loan Loss Disclosures suggests that loan loss provisions are to be â€Å"maintained at levels considered adequate to reflect managements expectations of future losses because â€Å"managers have private information regarding default risks inherent in the loan portfolio (455). Wahlen finds that managers judgment is necessary in estimating the loan loss provision each period. Wahlen further contends, â€Å"It is prohibitively costly for investors and monitors to obtain all of managements information about the loan portfolio each period . . . [Thus] bank managers can exercise discretion over the timing of provisions for certain loan losses (456). Wahlen examines the relations between unexpected loan loss provisions and both stock returns and changes in future cash flows, and the role of managers in handling non-p erforming assets, in his study. Similarly, Iftekhar Hasan and Stephen D. Smith (1997) have argued that traditional view in profitability of banking institutions does not comprehend recently developing market trends. The duo has empirically investigated the alternative hypothesis using overall profit measures: â€Å"the negative price-concentration relationship does not hold over the entire range of observed market concentration (47). They have focused on the impact of concentration and efficiency measures using price data for individual products and services. Jackson (1992) suggests that any generalization of such statements since price-concentration measures may vary substantially across time periods. Recently, in a comprehensive study, Berger and Hannan (1993) found more support for the structure-conduct-performance hypothesis than for the relative-market-power and/or efficient structure hypothesis. While concentrating over the role of banking sector in fetching the great depression of 1930s in America, Adam B. Ashcraft(2005) analyses the implication of non-performing assets in overall macroeconomic scenario in the article â€Å"Are Banks Really Special? New Evidence from the FDIC-Induced Failure of Healthy Banks. Ashcraft contends that severe contraction in banks results from uncontrolled lending. He writes: While there is some disagreement in the literature over the precise mechanism through which failure affects real activity it is hard to walk away without the conclusion that bank failures played an important macroeconomic role in the severity of the economic downturn. What are the possible mechanisms? The most direct effect is through the loss of real wealth by uninsured depositors and other creditors. Even in the absence of a wealth effect, however, the creditors of a failed bank lose liquidity while they wait for assets to be liquidated, which in turn affects real spending in the presence of borrowing constraints. (1712) Ashcraft observes that when a bank fails, some long-standing relationships with its customers are disrupted, if not destroyed. If customers are unable to replace these relationships with other lenders on equal terms, this contraction in the supply of bank credit has an effect on real activity. And finally, there is the threat of contagion, where the failure of one institution prompts a run on other banks, spreading the effect of failure throughout the economy. Literature related to non-performing assets and the Indian experience provides the glimpse of Asian economy and challenges of banking industry. Prashanth K Reddy(2002) makes a comparative study of Asian banking industry in â€Å"A comparative study of Non Performing Assets in India in the Global context similarities and dissimilarities, remedial measures. Reddy stresses the importance of a sound understanding of the macro economic variables and systemic issues pertaining to banks and the economy for solving the NPA problem along with the criticality of a strong legal framework and legislative framework. Reddy contends: Concerns have been raised about their relevance to India. A significant percentage of the NPAs of the PSBs are in the priority sector. Loans in rural areas are difficult to collect and banks by virtue of their sheer reach are better placed to recover these loans. Lok Adalats and Debt Recovery Tribunals are other effective mechanism to handle this task. ARCs should focus on the larger borrowers. Further, there is a need for private sector and foreign participation in the ARC. Private parties will look to active resolution of the problem and not merely regard it as a book transaction. Moving NPAs to an ARC doesnt get rid of the problem. Actions and measures have to be taken to build investor confidence. (12) Reddy stresses on the need to analyze foreign experiences that must be utilized along with a clear understanding of the local conditions to create a tailor made solution which is transparent and fair to all stakeholders. Reducing systemic risk potential that the non-performing assets create in banks is probably the strongest economic rationale for supervision of any economic system. In that context all over the world capital adequacy has become a core instrument of effective supervision of banking system. But the lack of research in Nepali commercial banking sectors has further prompted to economic instability. This research proposes to study the variables behind non-performing assets and its implication in commercial banking through the comparison between EBL and RBB. Consequently, the researcher hopes in treading into new avenue of research and its make recommendations for the reform process to be initiated in the Nepali banking industry as apart of the liberalisation of the economy in general and the financial stability in particular. Methodology / Sources of Data Researching NPAs of commercial banks is a sensitive topic. Several parties contribute to the â€Å"dynamics of the situation. These parties are: Bank employees and their representative from portfolios of credit (loan) department. Perspective clients of consumer loan and commercial loan investment from EBL and RBB Post-graduate students of finance and investment from various universities Law professionals handling the cases of NPAs. Journalists active in featuring economic beat across different prominent newspapers and magazines. A comprehensive investigation of this topics should attempt to collect data from each of these parties. It is proposed that the following methods of data collection be deployed: A content analysis of literature produced by these commercial banks, particularly their investment literature. Much of this literature is prepared for public consumption and hence will be readily available. Interviews with a representative sample from each of the parties identified above. Resource constraints do not allow for national coverage, hence these interviews will be conducted in one region of the country, which will be selected on the basis of convenience for the researcher. This could well limit the generalisations that can be made from the data. The researcher will â€Å"pose as a prospective client and will write a letter to each banks requesting guidance for loans. This raises ethical issues since a certain amount of â€Å"deception is involved. However, it is felt that it is a legitimate approach and doesnt cause personal harm to any party. The researcher will dispatch questionnaire selecting and identifying representative information provider from each party who in turn will provide with necessary information for the research. Anticipated Outcomes This work is essentially a comparative analysis since the issuance of loans and the state of recovery of two commercial banks are being compared. For the comparison to be meaningful and objective it is essential that a standard framework be adopted. It is proposed to structure the data collection and also the comparison and analysis using a distribution framework of: Public Sector Units Large Industries Medium Industries Other non priority Sectors Agriculture Small scale industries Other Priority sectors Hence in simple terms the results of the project could be presented in the following dummy table: Borrowing Segment-wise NPA Gross NPA RBB EBL Amount Percentage of Total NPA Amount Percentage of Total NPA Public Sector Units Large Industries Medium Industries Other non priority Sectors Agriculture Small scale industry Other Priority sectors It is envisaged that this will provide a degree of originality because the application of a distribution framework to an investment relations issue is novel. On the basis of the comparison of the activities of the two banks some recommendations can be made regarding the relative success of investment initiatives in this context.