The Baroque Era Art and Modern Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Baroque Era Art and Modern Art - Essay Example According to Craig Lockard (451), Baroque artists placed more focus on new perspectives such as movement, amplified light, tension, decorations, and strong emotions to produce the various quality artworks. The enlarging horizons of thinking created by the Renaissance and Reformation resulted in an extravagant and, as considered by many people, outrageous artistic movement in the 1600s. In the modern art, artworks are made powerful by the use of current features such as color, form, and line to come up with often violent paintings that are both indications of creativity and uprising against convention. The current group artists are said to be inspired by various French artworks and architecture and the theatrical Italian Baroque style art. Although slightly different from the Baroque era, the Greek myths also continued to encourage some prominent artists during the period beginning the 20th century. In conclusion, the end of the Baroque era perhaps, had a significant impacted on the m odern state of art since it ushered in a new age of ornamentalization. Various forms of art such as painting and dà ©cor both opted to involve ornaments including the common paintings such as â€Å"the Garden of Earthly Delights.† As a result of forces causing a drift from the Baroque period, painters and sculptors also shifted from producing overdone artworks back to producing more sleek, modest and sharp finish. The world has seen massive transformations in the state of the modern art where it remains evident.

Literary Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Literary Analysis - Essay Example The story is set in an unspecified island and the significance of the dog training center to the story is minimal except that a puppy is brought into the picture in the later conversations. The inn itself is a studio cum home for the owner, an artist influenced by the French master Matisse’s work. This influence is conveyed subtly through the interior dà ©cor that reminds one of a woman’s womb and other symbols of female organs. The connection between the interior dà ©cor of the studio and the dog training center as seen from inside the inn is as enigmatic as the relationship between a man and a woman, as can be seen shortly. â€Å"Origin of the world† (para.10) is how the artistic shape given to the copper wire covering to the naked bulb on the table lamp described by the female companion of the couple. There was no discussion preceding this statement except that they were looking at the lamp from all angles trying to unravel the mystery of its shape. Again the statement, â€Å"Old enough† (para.13) is full of mischievous meaning that recurs at the end of the story (para.28) to inform the readers of casual encounters between strangers and travelers. â€Å"Beware.† (para.20) is the direct but still enigmatic reference to the growing interest between the inn owner and the male traveler. Sign boards, interior dà ©cor, dogs that attack are the symbols that are enigmatically used to create awareness of the risks of casual physical relationships. Just as careless approach to the dog center can expose one to serious risks, so does a casual physical relationship. Both are to be approached with caution and precaution. The influence of the beautiful female form either on artists or others is universal but comes with associated risks, says the author. Ann DeWitt scripts a beautiful and powerful story full of enigma, symbolism and pithy sentences to drive home the

Is The Concept Of Physician Assisted Suicide Ethical Philosophy Essay

Is The Concept Of Physician Assisted Suicide Ethical Philosophy Essay Is it ethical for a physician to participate in physician-assisted suicide when this practice clearly defies what is stated in the Hippocratic Oath? People look at their personal physician as a healer or lifesaver but what if the physician gave you the option to end your life in the situation of chronic, painful illness or injury? Would this cloud your opinion of them or would you still consider them to be helping us? Is it ethical to train physicians to assist in suicide? These questions are what I want to discuss throughout this paper. I would like to discuss the beliefs and opinions on the topic of physician-assisted suicide through the eyes of medical professionals, the Hippocratic Oath, states countries that have legalized this practice, various religious beliefs, and different moral theories such as Kant and Utilitarianism. The background of this practice will also be discussed. In the areas of the world where it is legalized, should there be certain criteria in place in order to receive it? What about the perspective of insurance companies on the matter? Is this truly devaluing human life? This is a very controversial topic that I hope to make more understandable. 2. Background Physician-assisted suicide is a form of euthanasia in which the physician does not actually give the patient a life-ending drug, but provides the patient with the drug that they can take themselves. It is a form of suicide, with the doctor providing the materials used to carry it out (Mackinnon 141). The Netherlands and Great Britain have legalized physician-assisted-suicide. This practice has not been legalized in every state in North America. Montana and Oregon currently allow the practice with no legal consequences for the physician who participates. Thirty five states currently have laws making it a crime to assist in a suicide. Oregon was the first state to pass the Death With Dignity Act, which allowed physician-assisted suicide to be practiced, but there are certain criteria that must be met for it to be considered legal. Two doctors must examine the patient and come to the conclusion that he or she is mentally stable and has less than six months to live. This must then be certified by a third doctor. The patient has to submit a written request as well as an oral request. A few days following, the patient is given a barbiturate: secobarbital or pentobarbital, and they must take the medication on their own (Mackinnon 143). When researching among patients the reason for requesting physician-assisted suicide, it was not to relieve pain or financial problems, but to preserve autonomy and personal control. Using Kants moral theory to view this situation, others would look at the motives behind the action. Why are they doing this? For what reason? Some may even view it as a selfish act. Family and friends would be put through much sadness if a loved one were to have their live ended, but they need to consider the true reasoning behind the request for physician-assisted suicide. They want control of their own lives. One physician, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, was a well known right-to-die activist, who in the 1990s, assisted in more than 100 suicides. He believed that people who were suffering from an illness or injury and that wanted to end their life, had the right to die. He believed these people deserved control of their own bodies and lives. He created a euthanasia device consisting of a metal pole that had containers of medications attached to it. The medications were then connected to a line going into the persons vein. The patient would push a button, starting a flow of simple saline into their bodies. Anesthesia would then run into their bodies, causing them to become unconscious. About a minute following, potassium chloride would then start to flow, causing cardiac arrest, and death. Kevorkian was brought to trial in numerous cases but never convicted of what many considered homicide. After allowing the euthanasia of one of his patients to be videotaped and aired on television, it was seen that Kevorkian directly administered the deadly medication himself to this certain pat ient. He was then arrested and found guilty of first-degree homicide, sentenced to spend ten to twenty-five years in prison. When asked if he believes physicians should offer the option to end life to their patients, Dr. Kevorkian solemnly stated This is a medical service. It always was (Almeder, Humber, and Kasting 100). Are physicians not trained to improve our health or save our life? This leads to much debate on the subject. The Hippocratic Oath The Hippocratic Oath, believed to have been written by Hippocrates in 5th century B.C., is recited by physicians upon graduation from medical school. This oath states that as a physician these new graduates swear to practice medicine ethically. When applying this to the subject of physician-assisted suicide, we should focus upon this quote taken from the Oath: I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion. Physicians are trained in medical school to do what they can in any given situation to save a life. They are taught about various treatments and medications that work to preserve human life, not end it. Physicians do have obligations to their patients, which include relieving pain and suffering. When looking at the subject of physician-assisted suicide through the eyes of terminally ill patients who request this service, the negative viewpoints change. Emmanuel Levinas, a Jewish philosopher, closely researched ethics and morals related to the topic of physician-assisted suicide in comparison to the Hippocratic Oath. One immediate objection to assisted suicide can be raised from within a Levinasean perspective. That is, if what constitutes u s primarily as human are our obligations to one another, and not to our rights as individuals, then what of the obligations of a terminally ill person to their community. The obligations (or value) of such a person to their community cannot be measured simply in terms of economics or active contributions. Instead, the drawing together of a community or of family members in service to the needs of a terminal patient could serve to deepen and increase their own humanity. Does the terminal patient have the right to take this possibility, this response-ability, away from society (Degnin 12)? Are physicians preserving a terminally ill patients autonomy and human dignity when fulfilling their request to end their life? Most of the medical schools in todays society use updated versions of the Hippocratic Oath. Only one school, The State University of New York Upstate Medical School in Syracuse, NY, continues to use the traditional version of the Oath at their graduation ceremonies. Dr. Antonio Grotto, from Weill Medical College of Cornell University, admitted that students did laugh when reciting the original version of the famous Oath. [Students] would laugh at certain parts, Dr. Gotto said. Then Id give them dire threats that I wouldnt graduate them the next day if they laughed during the ceremony (OReilly 1). The majority of students graduating from medical schools today no longer are required to say that they will not recommend the idea of ending a persons life. Does this mean the idea is open for actual consideration and should be legal in situations that meet certain criteria in the entire United States as well as other countries throughout the world? There are still many ethical theories and personal beliefs from physicians that object to this idea. 4. Ethical Principles Utilitarianism, the ethical principle of bringing the greatest good to the greatest number of people, is one principle that could be used as a looking glass to view the topic of physician-assisted suicide. Many physicians feel like they were educated to bring relief to those who are suffering from illness or injury. The state of Montana has most recently joined the states that legalize physician-assisted suicide, but they are having trouble finding physicians who will end peoples life upon their request. One patient is upset by the fact that her final wish cannot be carried out due to so many objections. I feel as though my doctors do not feel able to respect my decision to choose aid in dying, said Janet Murdock. Access to physician aid in dying would restore my hope for a peaceful, dignified death in keeping with my values and beliefs. Dr. Kirk Stoner, president of the Montana Medical Association, said assisted suicide goes against the groups code of ethics. Our reason for being is to care for our patients, he said in the AP report (Baklinksi 1). Is good truly being brought to the greatest number of people by allowing the right to die? It may be, if the thing that is good for that person is to end their suffering. There will always be objections to this theory, such as physicians are doing harm by ending life rather than doing good by saving or prolonging it. Kants moral theory focuses on the morals behind an action. Why are we wanting do we want(?) to end this life? What is the true motive? This theory also discusses acting out of duty. or doing what we know is right in our eyes. A doctor finds it right to end suffering or pain, and if this includes ending the persons life for that reason, then they will/should want to do it. Th e belief that people should have the highest intrinsic or monetary value to us also comes into practice (Mackinnon 76). Are we devaluing human life by allowing physician-assisted suicide? Human life is supposed to be regarded as something that is very precious. By allowing physicians to take life away so easily, this could make others feel that it really does not have high intrinsic value, since it can be ended so quickly and easily, with no questions asked. If you are a physician who wants to end a life because you do not like a persons personality or attitude, then this would be considered homicide, at which you would face criminal charges. On the other hand, if you want to end life to end pain, suffering, or to let someone die with dignity from a terminal illness then this would be legal in the eyes of authority, and no criminal charges would be brought against you. This is how Kants followers would view the subject. The end result is not important, but the motives used to get to the end are! Another viewpoint is that of virtue ethics. A person has certain virtues or strengths built into them through the influence of those around them. You become the kind of person you would want to be. Our social interaction with authority figures throughout our upbringing form how we ought to be, or our virtue ethics. Aristotle states that there are two types of virtues: intellectual virtues and moral virtues. Intellectual virtues help us reason and judge well, while moral virtues dispose us to act well (Mackinnon 112). He was most well known for his idea that virtue is the means between the extremes. Our virtues are a middle between deficiency and excess. Physicians or medical students show virtues towards their patients. They want to care for them, give them relief, and/or make them better if they are sick or injured. Are they going against their inner virtues if they participate in physician-assisted suicide? Physician-assisted suicide isnt about physicians becoming killers. Its abou t patients whose suffering we cant relieve, and about not turning away from them when they ask for help. Will there be physicians who feel they cant do this? Of course, and they shouldnt be obliged to. But if other physicians consider it merciful to help such patients by merely writing a prescription, it is unreasonable to place them in jeopardy of criminal prosecution, loss of license, or other penalty for doing so (Rogatz). A physician should be able to bring relief to their patient in any way they see if, and if includes helping someone end their life, then so be it. The physicians obligations are many but, when cure is impossible and palliation has failed to achieve its objectives, there is always a residual obligation to relieve suffering. Ultimately, if the physician has exhausted all reasonable palliative measures, it is the patient-and only the patient-who can judge whether death is harmful or a good to be sought. Marcia Angell, former executive editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, has put it this way: The highest ethical imperative of doctors should be to provide care in whatever way best serves patients interests, in accord with each patients wishes, not with a theoretical commitment to preserve life no matter what the cost in suffering. . . .The greatest harm we can do is to consign a desperate patient to unbearable Suffering or force the patient to seek out a stranger like Dr. Kevorkian (Rogatz).' When applying virtue ethics, we should look as what our own personal beliefs (virtues) are and examine them closely. 5. Physicians, Medical Students, Families, Insurance Companies-Their Views Physicians may never see eye to eye on this highly controversial topic. Some think it is a doctors right to end suffering while others see the practice as going against what the Hippocratic Oath directly states. An organization called Physicians For Compassionate Care Education Foundation is dedicated to preserving the traditional relation of the physician and patient as one in which the physicians primary task is to heal when possible, comfort always, and never intentionally harm. The view of physicians that take part in this practice is help, not harm. You are helping the person by ending their pain and suffering. However, objectors to the practice feel that ending a life is harmful. You are devaluing the potential of that person. Taking them away physically from their family, creating sadness, and ultimately taking away what they have to have to society before it is even fully experienced. That is a very solid argument. Anyone who loses a loved one is going to feel grief, it is natural. I feel that everyone on this earth has a special talent to offer society but how can they offer it fully if they are in constant suffering? The association promotes the health and well being of patients by encouraging physicians to comfort patients and to assist those who are dying by support systems, minimizing pain, and treating depression. The association affirms the health restoring role of the physician and works to educate the profession and the public to the dangers of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. As physicians, they come from primary care specialties as well as subspecialties. They work to support each other and to speak out for the inherent value of human life (http://www.pccef.org/whoweare/index.htm). These physicians focus on the belief that the solution to pain and suffering is not death, but good palliative care. The disciples of the cult of euthanasia and assisted suicide would have society believe that the logical solution for pain and suffering is death. They may even see the infliction of death or the provision of assisted suicide as part of hospice palliative care. They pursue with mission ary zeal their gospel of death. Further, they often succeed in getting mainstream media to support their cause. The legalization of euthanasia would remove a patients autonomy and put it into the hands of professionals with potential control issues; who may be angry, sadistic and abusive. In Oregon, people see the legalization of euthanasia as giving autonomy to the person who requests it. They are able to have complete control of their life, give permission to a physician to end it, and once the procedures to approve the action are in place, it is carried out. As was discussed earlier, there are exact criteria that must be met for physician-assisted suicide to be carried out legally. It is a slippery slope where we must retain caution. If we allow euthanasia for someone who is suffering, and we continue to do so, then we may end up allowing it in a case where the criteria are not met. Is there a high likelihood that we would slip? This question is the center of many arguments over this subject. We have all seen colleagues both at the bedside and in health care management who have significant personality flaws, and, lacking compassion for the pain and suffering of others, feel they can take the law into their own hands (Echlin 3). Medical students are now reciting the updated version of the Hippocratic Oath, as we discussed earlier. Does this mean that the subject is becoming okay? Should families be allowed to make this decision for their child who may be on life-support, with little chance of remaining function or should the government take over? It is very expensive to keep someone on life-support when they have a poor prognosis. Is it ethical to end their lives in order to save money? If physician-assisted suicide is legalized throughout the world or the United States, insurance companies may begin to support it. Why spend millions of dollars of palliative or comfort measures, if the person can end their life quickly and easily. Why would we need to spend money to research cures for cancer or other chronic diseases if a persons suffering can be ended this way? Many factors play a part in making a decision of this magnitude. 6. Argument and Conclusion When addressing my ethical question, Is it ethical for a physician to participate in physician-assisted suicide when this practice clearly defies what is stated in the Hippocratic Oath?, I have been influenced by various opinions to believe it can be an ethical practice when closely monitored. Physicians have said that they are trained to care for people, to be a healer. They must examine their own morals when they first take the Hippocratic Oath and begin direct patient care. They do not want to see continual suffering of their patients. To many, it would be more humane to give relief this way than allowing suffering to remain until death. The judgment to allow physician-assisted suicide would give those diagnosed with chronic, debilitating illness hope that their suffering can be relieved when all other methods of relief fail. The patient would also be able to maintain autonomy, having a voice throughout the process. I believe that the system of meeting certain criteria must remain in place if this practice were legalized throughout the country. If it were not, then the motive behind the means (Kant) could not be justified, leading to easy cover-up of homicide. In others views, this practice does devalue human life. I feel if someone is in a state of constant struggle and suffering, what true value does their life have. To them, they may feel as if they are a burden to family and friends. When does life become less precious? These subjects are where this practice sits on a fine line. Life is something that should be nurtured and cared for, event in the event of serious illness or injury. There are holistic ways to provide comfort that can be used on a trial basis, with euthanasia being a last resort. The use of medications, counseling, massage, diet change, and activity level changes. These have all been used to provide relief for those suffering with chronic illnesses and have been shown to be successful. If these practices fail to bring long-term relief and improve quality of life, they should be documented in the criteria when under consideration for physician-assisted suicide. The major objection would be that a physician is trained to make us feel better, and if that means ending life to end pain, then they have failed as a healer. Family and friends never want to see someone they love die. They also not want to see them suffer. They should come together with the afflicted family member to research other methods of relief, while letting the person maintain control of their own life and the situation surrounding it. Overall, physicians should be allowed to participate in this practice when the patient is meeting the criteria that were originally discussed. Many will feel that legalizing physician-assisted suicide completely goes against what medical professionals stated in the Hippocratic Oath, do no harm. They are helping to relieve someones suffering, which is what a physician is trained to do. This practice could be beneficial to many if controlled and used under a watchful eye. For future physicians, they must look inside themselves, and personally examine their own beliefs. They also need to maintain their autonomy. When involved in an ethical dilemma so personal and controversial as this one is, they should have every right to not participate. We control our own actions. In the end it is our choice. In the case of physician-assisted suicide, there are two major participants: the physician and the patient. They must always be heard! If our court could work to lay proper criteria into a groundwork for this practice, I believe it would be beneficial to those who are plagued with chronic pain. The criteria being met would provide proof to others that the situation was closely monitored and it was the persons decision, with no persuasion from the doctor. It is controversial ethical decision, but one that I feel physicians as well as their patients should have voice in. We have a right to be heard!

How Intelligent Are Dolphins? Essay -- Aquariums Intelligence Essays

How Intelligent Are Dolphins? There is something about dolphins that fascinates me. They are some of the most intelligent and beautiful animals that I have ever seen. Their faces are so cute that every time I look at a dolphin it looks like it is smiling at me and wants to tell me something. The noises they make represent some kind of language and it makes me wonder if they can really communicate. I also want to know what kind of feeling they have and whether they have emotions. This is why I chose to do this I-search project on dolphins; the different kinds of dolphins there are, the places that they can be found and their mental abilities. I remember sitting at a dolphin show when I was six years old. I felt like the dolphins were my friends; I felt like I could go to them and tell them all my stories, laugh with them and share my thoughts. They seemed innocent and sweet to me. After the show I went down to the water where the dolphins were with my mother and we asked if I could just play with them for a little. The trainer let me. There are no words to express my excitement. I went to the dolphin and I hugged him I gave him a fish and them I started telling him a story. I do not remember what I said anymore because I was really young at the time. What I do remember is that the story was funny and I was laughing and then the dolphin started making these noises as he was laughing with me. Then he splashed me with water. Years later when I thought about that experience and I did not know whether it was just my childish imagination or if the dolphins actually understood. I wanted to find out if that they possess great int elligence, sense of humor and if they can really communicate with each other. Regina Blackstock is a ve... ...someone next to them. They have families. Lastly they have great sense of humor. Dolphins are one of the most intelligent mammals on the planet earth and I am glad that I have realized that. Works Cited Blackstock, Regina. Dolphins and Man†¦ Equals? May 1970 Kirby, Sally. Dolphins. 20 Sept. 1997 Kodat, Rebecca. What is dolphin echolocation? 2002 Lori’s Mishmash Humor Page. â€Å"Dolphin Intelligence† MIT Sea Grant College Program, Do dolphins sleep? < http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/dolphinsleep/questions/dolphins/sleep.html> The day I was rescued by dolphins.

Business HL: Burger King

Burger King’s global expansion plays a key role in the business’ hopes in overtaking McDonald’s prestigious position in the profitable fast-food world. Currently maintaining its spot as the second-largest global fast-food brand in the world, Burger King’s senior officials realize that they must effectively strategize their global marketing skills. As a global titan in the fast-food world, it is apparent that Burger King’s investment appraisal skills have paid off. Through this report, I will aim to answer the question: â€Å"Should Burger King open a franchise in Pakistan?†The first portion of my report will be the research overlook. This will outline my entire report. I will include a rationale, theoretical framework, and methodology. These will briefly overview the basis of my report.The second portion of my report will include my research findings, my analysis, and my calculations. SWOT and PEST will be amongst the analytical tools that wi ll be shown. My research will be mainly secondary but I will show a hint of primary findings. My conclusion will answer my question from a financial and non-financial perspective.The numerical values used in the â€Å"Calculations† and â€Å"Main Results and Findings† sections are estimates. The price obtained for the value of a 500 square meter plot in a commercial area was given by Pakistani real estate companies. The annual cash flow is a forecast based on the amount of cash McDonald’s generates annually in Pakistan and the average amount of cash a fast food restaurant generates per year.IntroductionBurger King’s plethora of notorious legal issues has resulted in a loss of money and reputation. Although their cost cuts have resulted in higher earnings, their revenues continue to fall along with their share prices. In order to restore their reputation and higher their revenues, it is important for the brand to tackle international expansion opportunitie s, especially in regions where their sphere of influence is low.When deciding whether to open an international franchise, a number of financial and non-financial aspects must be taken into account. The political state, consumer preferences, and cultural distinctions in Pakistan must be considered. On top of this, it is important to assess the profitability and desirability of the expansion (i.e. Investment appraisal). Burger King is not very prominent in the East and so building their prominence in sub-continental Asia will be a milestone in their global influence.This has therefore led me to research the following question: â€Å"Should Burger King open a franchise in Pakistan?† Research Question â€Å"Should Burger open a franchise in Pakistan?† Procedure/MethodMy research was fully gained through secondary resources. Online sources were used to provide interviews with Burger King Officials, get financial statistics, and gather information on Burger King’s mar keting strategies. My information was collected from online databases that specialize in marketing and financial monitoring. I obtained my balance sheets from these databases also. I discovered an interview in QSR Magazine. This interview was also used in my research and findings. Possible problems I could face are the biased in the interview I found and the reliability of my numbers (credibility of my sources). The research I obtained was very useful. I am fortunate to have found a large number of sources to choose from. My non-financial data is fully based on my research. I did not face any problems during this report.If I could do this report again, I would explore more financial aspects of the issue being explored. This is because numerical research is more reliable than non-financial findings. Non-financial findings give room for bias. All in all, I feel like this was a successful report.AnalysisSWOT AnalysisThe estimated payback period is about six and a half years; this relat ively low payback period. This is because the franchise will be profitable. The cost of labor in Pakistan is low due to the minimum wage laws in the country. Furthermore, there is a high rate on unemployment. Although the unemployment rates are decreasing, the amount of working-aged citizens that are unemployed is still high. Weaknesses presented by this appraisal include expensive land, expensive food products, power shortages, and political instability.The political state of Pakistan is extremely volatile, especially this year. Elections are being held this year and so tensions amongst opposing supporters is high. Atop this, constant riots and protests shake the stability of the nation. A political unrest could result in vandalism and our destruction of property. The largely anti-American attitude in Pakistan is also a problem due to the fact that Burger King is an American fast-food chain. This problem can be potentially decreased however, with insurance and an extensive continge ncy plan. Moving on, the political state of Pakistan has resulted in a high price for fruits and vegetables. Vegetables are necessary in order for this business to strive.In addition to a high cost for vegetables, the cost of 500 square meters of land is also relatively high ($350,000). This is not too large of an issue  however. This is because the land will be bought and not rented. Thus, the cost of the land was included in the calculations for the payback period, which turned out to be low. Lastly, power shortages are abundant. Load shedding is very consistent. Thus, the cost of a generator must be taken into account. The threats presented by this investment have already been mentioned; safety, power shortages, and the year of elections). The opportunities presented by this investment are vast. First and foremost, this will be the first Burger King franchise in Pakistan.As mentioned in my introduction, Burger King, unlike its completion (McDonald’s) lacks Asiatic franch ises. The success of this franchise may lead to the commencing of more franchises around the region. The cheap labor makes it attractive and profitable. Furthermore, there will be a larger range of consumers. Because Burger King has a very limited amount of franchises present in sub-continental Asia, its menu is not fit to satisfy Pakistanis. New customers and new flavor preferences will likely result in the production of new food items. These may be popular on a global scale. In addition to new products, Burger King will strengthen its fan base.PEST AnalysisExternal political factors have already been mentioned in the previous sub-section (SWOT Analysis). Civil unrest is extremely unpredictable due to the hostile state of the government and citizens. Unrest could potentially cause result in lasting, detrimental effects. Mediocre health and safety laws may also be an issue. Optimal hygiene factors influence the performance of the business’ employees. Also, it is vital to have optimal hygiene in order to attract customers. In addition to health and safety laws, minimum wage laws are also low. This is seen as a pro rather than a con as it ensures cheaper labor.Economic issues are also abundant in Pakistan. The weak currency is one example. The rupee is constantly dropping and so exchange rates will be high. However, due to Pakistan’s Islamic form of banking, there is no interest. This is a convincing quality of the location. Moreover, economic growth in Pakistan is very mediocre. Moving on, pork/ham is illegal in Pakistan. Ham makes up much of the Burger King menu and so they must be willing to modify the menu in order for optimal effectiveness. Also, the culture in Pakistan is highly patriarchal.Women are expected to  stay home and cook. Families usually eat home cooked meals together, at home. This may be an issue as this can result in a smaller customer count. However, the Pakistani population is growing constantly and so there are many more c hildren from newer generations. Teenagers are Burger King’s most loyal customers. Furthermore, there is a sense of anti-Americanism in Pakistan. This brings up many red flags. Burger King is an American fast-food chain and so boycott and/or vandalism must be taken into account when developing a contingency plan. This problem may not be such a big deal however. Pakistan is constantly modernizing.Views on the United States and American corporations are becoming more supportive and/or indifferent. Poverty may be the largest obstacle. Pakistan has an extremely high rate of illiteracy and poverty. This can negatively affect the franchise as many citizens will be incapable of affording fast-food. Contrastingly, Burger King can host fundraisers and/or other charity events to benefit the poor. This is one way in which they can bring up their reputation as a global brand. Lastly, the cost of packaging is high.ConclusionAccording to the SWOT analysis, the opportunities presented by thi s investment are far greater than the threats and the weaknesses. Furthermore, the payback period presented by this investment is relatively low and a franchise in Pakistan could majorly impact Burger King’s global sphere of influence. Opening a franchise in Pakistan will also add more variety to their flavor and potentially better their reputation. Their balance sheets and income statements would not show significant changes and so they were not mentioned (because this would be 1 of 11,000 franchises).In my opinion, opening a Burger King franchise in Pakistan is a swell idea. The opportunities and strengths outweigh the negatives. The franchise should open after elections to lessen the risk of political unrest.

Henry Tam Case

We have to evaluate the performance of a distinctly diverse team aiming to create a business plan for MGI’s â€Å"Music Puzzle† Game to enter the HBS contest. The team comprised of MGI founders, Sasha, Igor and Roman, two HBS students Henry and Dana and subject matter experts Alex and Dav. In addition, we have to recommend actions for Henry Tam, which would foster better team dynamics to accomplish the task at hand. The team, after much deliberation and little success, has just 3 weeks before entering the case at the HBS Business Plan competition. In the team there is, Sasha, a former HBS MBA student with experience in drastically different industries; Igor and Roman, exceptionally gifted Russian musicians; Henry & Dana who are finance professionals in the second year of their HBS MBA; Alex, who is a specialist in computer music applications from Berkley; and Dave, a software developer from MIT. Root Cause Analysis The major strengths of the team were a presence of diverse talents, close affinity between the founders, great product, shared passion and complementary skills. However, there is much conflict and failure to deliver results, due to a variety of factors. These factors include a lack of cohesion as a team, an ambiguity of roles definitions, a lack of clear leadership, and a weak working culture. The team has a common goal to develop the business plan, but the focus is different, with the HBS students focused on the contest deadlines, and the MGI founders striving to create a viable business. The team is unable to come to a consensus on which market to penetrate. Additionally, the team is functioning more as a group; as they are unstructured, have an unevenly distributed workload (Katzenbach & Smith, 2005). There is no collective work product, and there is an individual approach to problem solving, as opposed to shared resolutions. Within the group, there are also factions or subgroups. Adding to the frustration was that they were in a small confined workspace on the HBS campus. And finally, the team was completely lacking in interrelationship trust. Drawing from Tuckman's stages of group development: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning (â€Å"Tuckman’s Stages, n. . ), developed in 1965, we can assess the team building processes. The forming stage was spread over three meetings as all the members were not introduced at the very beginning. During the storming stage, team members’ expectations were not aligned. Dana and Henry perceived the role to be more strategic, as opposed to Sasha’s perception of th em as interns focused on writing the business plan only. The modus operandi suggested by Sasha to contact HBS alumni added to the chaos. Plus the introduction of Dav forced Henry and Dana to speculate on Sasha’s motives. In the norming stage we do not see any cohesion but constant disagreements, all primarily due to not defining the norms at the onset. Issues in the norming stage lead to unclear orientation in the performing stage, not adhering to the timelines. Benchmarking the meetings against Belbin’s Team Roles (Belbin, 2010), we see how the seven team members fluctuate between different roles during the three meetings. In the first meeting, Igor, Sasha, Henry and Dana met with different perceptions and reservations and a complete lack of clear strategy. At this point it is very unclear as to who is in each role: Plant, Resource investigator, Coordinator, Shaper, Monitor Evaluator, Team worker, Implementer, Completer Finisher, or Specialist. Roman and Alex join the second meeting, and amidst a lot of brainstorming and ‘creative’ discussion we can see the team members conforming to Belbin’s Team roles. There is a notable understanding between Henry and Dana to try and handle Sasha’s aggression and confrontational style. The third meeting witnesses the entry of Dan the specialist, which adds fuel to the fire and worsens the stance between Sasha and Dana. We can now see that the team members conform slightly more to the Belbin’s model. The team lacked a compelling direction and clear leadership as well (Coutu & Hackman, 2009). Leadership was shared based on who felt like taking on the role at the time. Without formal leadership, there was a breakdown in communication and an absence of the setting of deadlines or the implementation of an overall plan or vision. In fact, an overall direction did not exist, as the MGI founders had different motivating factors than the students, and different perspectives regarding the abilities and roles of each other. Tasks were not broken down into specific subtasks, or assigned to individual team members. Also, without leadership, there is no establishment or communication of the norms and values of the team, and no role modeling or coaching. The culture of team is weak, as there are no established norms and values or ground rules. As such, there was a discrepancy in the development of the team during the norming stage, as discussed previously. The team also engaged in a cultural clash in terms of industry areas, country/ethnic differences, and subcultures. The MGI founders related to a creative and artistic industry, while the students were business focused. The cultural differences manifested themselves in terms of language and expectations. And finally, within the subgroups were individual subcultures, which lead to a difference in values, roles, purposes, and goals especially when disagreements between these subcultures occurred (Hofstede, 1998). Multicultural teams can be more difficult to manage, and can lead to conflicts in communication styles, decision-making approaches, and attitudes towards hierarchy (Brett, Behfar & Kristin, 2006). As the overall working culture is weak, these clashes can be tumultuous as there is not guiding set of norms and values to reference. Alternatives Henry could try the mediation path first, by mitigating difference between Sasha and Dana using preventive strategies to manage conflict. This strategy will involve everyone to provide input and address issues jointly. The feasibility, however, is in question due to lack of time, the uncertainty of the effectiveness of the mediator and identification of common ground. Secondly, Henry could identify a leader from within the team. It could be Alex, as his background in business and music is a good match. Similarly, Henry could step up as he has a neutral stance and no open conflicts with any member of the team. A clear advantage is that there would be no time wasted in learning about the team members, the task at hand and the issues. Henry might be a better option as leader though based on his Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Putting ourselves in the shoes of Henry Tam, and taking the test, we concluded that he has a type of ISTJ (â€Å"MBTI Questionnaire†, n. ), which indicates that he has a clear moral code, operates at high efficiency, is dependable, and able to enforce standards. However, as both Alex and Henry have a history with the team, they might not be able to clearly assert their leadership capability in the short timespan available. As such, a third party leader could be found and appointed to address issues and provide expertise, based on knowledge of the market. This would introduce a neutral person and satisfy the desire of some team members who seek external intervention. The flip side is that there would not be enough time to bring someone on board, there may not be availability in the budget to accommodate the associated costs, and the fit of the new entrant to the team might not be fluid. A third option could be to drop out of the contest, but continue working on the business plan. This will ease the pressure of the deadline and help to alleviate some of the stress and tension. Henry and Dana should continue on the project as they are intrinsically motivated and deeply involved in the project. This clearly gives a breathing space and might promote common focus. The downside is that the motivation levels might drop along with the reputation and the team will miss out on the chance to get the business plan evaluated by some of the best experts in the field. Recommendation The most viable solution for the team is for Henry to fulfill the role of formal leader, as he is intrinsically motivated and heavily involved in the project. He, of all the team members, has engaged in the least conflict, is overall neutral, and thus is in the best position to assert influence and guidelines upon the team. Henry could provide some role definition, according to Belbin’s model, for specific members of the team and help team members in aiding in the cultural differences by adapting to them and working around them (Brett, Behfar & Kristin, 2006). This is a better option than obtaining a third-party leader, as the resource costs, time and budget specifically, would be lower. Additionally, in order to build credibility as a leader, Henry should investigate the costs of obtaining a consultant with specialized knowledge of the market. This will serve to satisfy team members who are requesting outside perspective and additional insight.

Rachel Carson Opinion essays

Rachel Carson Opinion essays There is no point in beating around the bush, explaining how the movie was laid out, her background, or what her objectives were. Rachel Carson was nothing short of a modern day super woman. Not unlike super heroes we read about in comic books, the things she went through for other people and creatures was phenomenal. There aren't a whole lot of people who can truly say they dedicated their life to the well being of others, and I'm not only talking about humans. If anything, we were her last concern. With proper knowledge and testing, we would have known better than to use those pesticides in such an abundant manner. Granted, pesticides seemed insects, but people had to have been noticing the affects these dangerous chemicals were having on the wildlife and people most commonly exposed. Man truly stepped on his own foot in this episode. It must have been so lonely for her to be, what must have felt like, the only person in the world who knew what was really going on. Rachel Carson seemed to be a most remarkable woman. She fought through the slander, the barriers of school, and the governments twisted way of getting things done. She exposed pesticides for what they truly were and for that I know I am grateful. We assume that if a major company or our government is doing something odd, that it is with good reason or at least its been tested. This goes to show us that even our government is only made up of man. Man, who doesn't necessarily know everything. Rachel Carson Video Regarding Pesticides. 1994 ...

Cloning Regulation essays

Cloning Regulation essays Throughout the United States and much of the world the legal issues surrounding cloning have been hard pressed since the birth of Dolly in 1997. Dolly was created using a method called somatic cell nuclear transfer and not long after Dollys birth it was suggested that the same method be used to clone human beings. That is when the governments all around the world started paying much more attention to the concerns of cloning. Shortly after the birth of Dolly then President Clinton purposed a moratorium on any amount of federal funds for the research of human cloning because of the uncertainties that related to cloning. Clinton said that he would take appropriate actions after the National Bioethics Advisory Commission (NBAC) concluded their thorough investigation of the societal effects that human cloning may have. Clinton believed that any discovery the touches upon the human creation is not simply a matter of scientific inquiry [but also]... a matter of morality and spirituality. In august of 1997, Clinton purposed a bill that would ban any cloned cells being placed in the womb of a female for five years, giving the NBAC adequate time to research and make a recommendation to congress on the medical, ethical, and legal aspects of human cloning. The NBAC research concluded the following: There are many psychological harms associated with the possibility of a diminished sense of individuality and personal autonomy. Human cloning could degrade the quality of parenting and family life. Because life could be replicated so easily, human cloning could create the potential for the people to be viewed as objects instead of as ends to themselves. Supporters of cloning are concerned that a ban would impinge on the personal choice, freedom of scientific inquiry and the potential for new biomedical breakthroughs. ...

Can Human-Animal Chimeras Aid Medical Researches

Can Human-Animal Chimeras Aid Medical Researches Chapter 1 The Science behind the Biotechnology Chimeras rely on stem cells and their ability to differentiate into the necessary cells needed by the body. It is this feature of stem cells that allow scientist to culture tissue samples and eventually produce transplantable organs. The procuration of stem cells is the subject of a controversial argument as the methodologies of some variations raises several moral and ethical issues. Human Embryonic Stem Cells (hESCs) As the name suggests, this form of stem cells are derived from human embryos. Contrary to popular belief, these cells are not obtained from eggs fertilised inside a womans body; the embryos are usually donated for research purposes by In Vitro Fertilisation Clinics, with the consent of the donors. The embryos are then suspended in a culture medium ,mirroring similar conditions to that of a mothers womb, allowing the embryo to divide into a mass of cells known as the blastocyst. The cells within the blastocyst are usually referred to as totipotent stem cells. It is here that the first ethical issue arises. The beginning of life is said to be conception or fertilisation therefore this method of obtaining stem cells can be considered as taking a life without its consent. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2016) Another limitation of hESCs includes carcinogenic risk when the culture medium is altered in order to induce differentiation of stem cells to form specialised cells such as: heart cells, lungs cells, liver cells and nerve cells. If the wrong mix of proteins or hormones are added to the stem cells theres a potential risk of mutation of DNA resulting in the production of cancerous or faulty cells. Conversely, hESCs are more accepted in the scientific community as the production of it can be done at lower cost with much more efficient differentiation and the cells produced are within a suitable HLA spectrum. [1] (Pappas, 2008) Parthenote Stem Cells It is possible however to bypass the ethical and moral issues that hESCs present, as these issues only arise if the cell is post-fertilisation. Therefore, if stem cells are extracted from an unfertilised egg, then arguably life which begins at conception or fertilisation, has not yet begun, making the use of the stem cells less controversial. However, the ethical implications have not been bypassed altogether, as it can still be argued that stem cells from unfertilised eggs do still have the potential to make a living individual. Parthenogenesis[2] allows for the egg cell to be activated without the need for a sperm. Parthenogenetic embryos will develop to the blastocyst stage and so can serve as a source of embryonic stem cells. Parthenogenetic Embryonic Stem Cells (pESCs) have been shown to have the properties of self-renewal and the capacity to generate cell derivatives from the three germ layers, confirmed by contributions to chimeric animals (Department of Animal Science, Michig an State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA, 2006) Induced Pluripotent stem cells The process behind iPSCs was a big medical breakthrough as it allowed somatic (body) cells to be reprogrammed into regenerative cells. The formation of iPSCs require the donor to undergo shave or punch biopsies, this procedure can be done under local anesthetic and is minimally invasive so the procuration of the adult cells poses no moral or ethical predicaments. The induction of pluripotency in adult somatic cells via proteins, will produce genetical and immune-histocompatibility matches thus, lowering the chance of rejection (if used for transplantation), this also reduces the need for the patient to take immunosuppressant which can result in a compromised immune response. But this form of stem cells comes with its disadvantages, as it is a new concept the cost of production is high. Therefore this process in its current state of development is economically viable for a large population size. Furthermore, the mechanisms behind how the reprogramming factors work are unknown, this pr esents the chances of mutagenesis[3], oncogene activation risk[4], and retroviral gene delivery[5] (Pappas, 2008) Chapter 2 Potential Uses of Animal-Human Chimeras in Therapeutics Vaccinations As of 2015, there are 36.7 million people living with HIV as per WHO and UNAIDS. (WHO, 2016). The field of vaccines for diseases such as Hepatitis-B and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) have taken a heavy toll in developing countries and have faced major failures. In the hopes of improving the current situation. Human-animal chimeras, developed with a humanized immune system could be useful to study infectious diseases, including many neglected diseases. These would also serve as an important tool for the efficient testing of new vaccine candidates to streamline promising candidates for further trials in humans. (Bhan, et al., 2010). Human hematopoietic stem cells, or in laymans terms, bone marrow cells, have the unique capacity of engrafting, greatly expanding, and repopulating immunodeficient mice, with virtually all different types of human immune cells; as shown by the image above. Humanized mouse models are produced via transplantation of CD34+ stem cells and/or implantation of human tissue into immunodeficient mice. Depending on whether tissue or CD34+ cells are used and the strain of mouse, this results in mice which have a part or a complete human immune system. (Garcia, 2016) This xenografted[6] mouse is then used as a disease model[7]. This allows scientists to better understand the mechanisms behind the disease, which results in a more efficient treatment plan for those who suffer from. Hepatitis-B. Another disease model being used are primates, these are considered to be the most accurate as we share a common ancestor. Additionally, primates have the closest metabolic conditions to humans. When this model was injected with HIV-1 (via IV), HIV-2 (via vagina) and SIV (via rectum) the results were advantageous as they provided useful information for vaccine and therapeutic studies. However, the cost of producing this model is very high and raises many moral and ethical concerns; furthermore, despite having some genetic similarities, primates do have different cellular and molecular markers and the time and course of infection could vary. Chimeras are also benefiting the treatment of Japanese encephalitis. This disease is a type of viral brain infection thats spread through mosquito bites, commonly found in South-East Asia. Although theres no cure for Japanese encephalitis, it can be prevented through vaccination, which is usually only available privately (NHS, 2016). A recently developed vaccine, which is an animal-human chimera which is a mouse brain-derived, inactivated JE vaccine (MBV). In order to evaluate its efficacy case controlled studies were carried out. A randomized double-blinded study conducted in northern Thailand, using JE MBV produced in Thailand, yielded an overall effectiveness of 91%. Another trial in Taiwan revealed an effectiveness of approximately 85% when two or more doses were administered. The effectiveness of the JE vaccine in Northern Vietnam was 92.9% efficacious. (Marks, et al., 2012). Control disease progression Another therapeutic use of animal-human chimeras is the development of drugs to aid in the treatment of known diseases.The drug called Rituximab, is a chimeric antibody which means it contains portions of both human and mouse antibodies mixed together. The drug was licensed in 1997 for the treatment of NHL (Non-Hodgkins lymphoma)-a form of cancer which causes B-cells to mutate and divide abnormally. The drug targets the CD20 receptor on B-cells as this receptor is located on the surface of the cell and it doesnt mutate, move inside the cell or fall off in the life cycle of the B-cell. The drug contains the variable domain of the mouse antibody, the portion that specifically binds CD20, along with the constant domain of human antibody, the portion that recruits other components of the immune system to the target-the B-cells and so after it is administered, and a large number of tumour cells are immediately destroyed and eliminated from the body. Rituximab is also used to treat advanced rheumatoid arthritis and it has also been part of anti-rejection treatments for kidney transplants (both involve B cells). The disadvantage only that the mouse antibody was unsuitable for direct use in humans and clinical trial results varied, likely due to the differing sizes of tumors between the patients, (Speaking of Research, 2017) Chapter 3 Potential Uses of Animal-Human Chimeras in Surgery The demand for organ transplantation has rapidly increased all over the world due to the increased incidence of vital organ failure. However, the unavailability of adequate organs for transplantation procedures to meet this growing demand has resulted in a major organ crisis. In 2014, 429 patients died while on the waiting list for an organ transplant- thats up to 3 patients a day. (Knapton, 2015). Currently, the government plan on changing the organ donation system to an opt out system, which hopes to promote organ donation and increase the availability of organs. The opt-out system presumes the donors consent unless the individual expresses a refusal to become a potential donor- allowing the donor to make a free choice (Abouna, 2008). As well as increasing obtainability of organs, it also increases the likelihood of more organs found within a suitable HLA spectrum. (Department of Health and Social Care and Cabinet Office, 2017). But it can be argued that this system of obtaining organs is seen as unfair as majority of organ donors must be recently deceased (excluding kidney donors) therefore the longevity of one persons life is at the cause of anothers death. (World Health Organisation, 2005) To prevent this choice being made, alternative solutions are being developed in order to aid the organ crisis-one of them being animal-human chimeras. Current research on stem cells have shown that they can differentiate into different cell types but cannot effectively produce usable tissues and organs as a culture medium cannot replicate the growth of an organ in a body. A recent breakthrough by the (Salk Institute of Biological Research, 2017) shows a pig-human chimera, which would be capable of making human organs. The research began by creating an interspecies chimera[8] consisting of a rat and mouse. They used a gene editing technology known as CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) to turn off the gene that makes the pancreas. They then inserted rat iPSCs which contained a pancreas gene into the mouse embryo. The result, when implanted into surrogate mouse mothers, was a fully developed mouse with a growing rat pancreas. This concept was then mirrored using pigs embryos and human stem cells; as pigs have similar organ sizes and developmental timescales as humans. Although this experiment had to be halted at 4 weeks of development due to ethical issues and the lack of consent- as the experiment was designed to prove it was possible, not to produce a human organ-we can safely assume that, if the development of the pig was allowed to continue, the pig would have a whole human organ inside it. Theoretically, this concept can then be implemented, producing specific human organs, eliminating the wait for a human donor and reducing the risk of organ rejection. Chapter 4 Potential Uses of Animal-Human Chimeras in Disease Modelling Scientific research is not always accepted as they require the use of controversial methods to obtain the necessary results. The methodologies behind creating chimeras have ethical and moral dilemmas primarily due to the use of animals. There is a large emphasis on animal welfare, although the use of animals as chimeras or in general medical research is considered very valuable as they help the medical community to better under the effects of treatments (drugs or otherwise) on living organisms. The matter still finds itself to be the subject of a very heated debate; as those opposing the use of animals animal rights extremists and anti-vivisectionist groups-believe that animal experimentation is unnecessary and cruel regardless of its benefits ergo the opposition want total abolition of animal research and if the majority supports this view then there will be severe consequences for scientific research. (Festing Wilkinson, 2007) On the other hand, the UK has gone further than most countries in regards to the ethical framework by introducing the Animals (Scientific Procedure) Act 1986 which regulates the use of animal research. Along with this, there is more and more public awareness as polls run by Ipsos MORI state that in 2005 64% of the population agreed with the use of animals in research if the research objectives are important and the animals experience minimal suffering and all alternatives are considered. (Department for Business Freeman, 2014) Another bioethical view that must be considered is `whether we treat the chimeras as animals or human? this arises as some chimeras require the altering of cognitive capacities. The chimeras are to be used to develop a better understanding of diseases such as Parkinsons and Dementia which affect 850 000 people every year (Anon., 2014) Unfortunately, the research is very slow due to moral views as some people regard this form experimentation a violation of human dignity and the order of nature as well as, the initial disagreement of using chimeras in the first place. (Hermern, 2015) Opportunely, there is some support for the use of animal-human chimeras as previous medical techniques that are widely accepted today allow the use of porcine, bovine and equine biological heart valves are implanted in those with cardiac valve dysfunction. Moreover, insulin extracted from porcine pancreas is routinely used with those with diabetes. And so, the prospect of a pig carrying a pancreas or liver of human origin should be justifiable. (Bourret, et al., 2016) Alternatives A lesser conventional view is the alternatives to chimeras, these methods do not require the use of animals to carry out medical research, which hopefully, should eliminate bioethical arguments. The issue that arises with this is the efficiency and viability of the results. The alternatives to chimeras include cell cultures, human tissues and computer models. Almost all cell types can be recreated in laboratory conditions and these can be coaxed to grow into 3D structures- miniature organs. Cell cultures have also been used to create `organs-on-chips which can be used to study disease mechanisms, as well as, drug metabolism. This form biotechnology has already managed to mimic the heart, lungs and kidneys. The goal is to be able to this for all organ systems. The idea is already aided in the development in the production of vaccines, and drug testing on top of aided research in the study of cancers, sepsis and AIDS. Human tissues can be donated by both healthy and diseased volunteers through surgeries such as biopsies, cosmetic surgery and transplants or via post mortem- such as brain tissue from a patient with Multiple Sclerosis to help better understand a large variety of diseases furthermore the tissues can make more effective models than through chimeras as they will contain only human DNA thus providing a more relevant way of studying human biology. Finally, computer models can be used to create virtual experiments based on existing information. Models of the musculoskeletal systems, heart, lungs etc. already exist. Inopportunely, this method isnt as effective as testing in vivo as the concept is very theoretical. (Anon., n.d.)

Stock Index Futures Prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Stock Index Futures Prices - Essay Example Arbitrage is also characterised as the simultaneous buying and selling of stocks in two separate financial markets with the intention of making profits generated by the difference between the buying and the selling prices of a commodity(Sackman, and Coltman 1996, 25). The carry cost can also be described as the interest expense paid by the investor to hold on to the commodity purchased in the futures market until the maturity date of the futures contract(Bjrk 2004, 1). Arbitrage will be further discussed below. Many investors prefer to funnel their scarce money resources into a cash and carry arbitrage contract. Their real goal would probably be to invest in two securities that are differently priced in the market. Later, the stock or futures prices of both commodities will correct themselves by either decreasing or increasing. This movement of prices would cause a profit on one commodity and a loss on the other commodity. Both these commodities will smoothen out resulting to the avoidance or decrease of probable future losses. The commodities where arbitrage can be used include sugar, gold, silver, coffee, oil, U.S. dollar currency, European dollar currency, Japanese Yen, French Franc, and other currencies (Scobie, Buckley, and Fox 1998, 8) In addition, the arbitrage investor may generate profits from investments if he or she invests in a security or in the futures contracts. The investor would then profit when the amount of the of the commodity plus the added cost of carrying is less than the projected commodities futures prices. One clear advantage of using arbitrage in the commodities futures market is that the investors can sell a commodity like the United States dollar today and then buy the same foreign currency four days after the currency purchase date. On the other hand, this is not possible in the real world. The real world transaction is characterised by a sales person turning over to the buyer the car, house, shirt, or computer game the moment when he or she pays for the items bought. Only when the sales price is higher than the investment price will the investor harvest the fruits from his or her arbitrage investment. In terms of the oil industry, "The oil industry, more than other energy sectors, is globa l in its character and operations. The geographical concentration of reserves and the vital role of oil in modern society has made it the principal commodity in international trade" (Haugland, Bergesen, and Roland 1998, 54) Evidently, the arbitrage investor may generate profits from investments if he or she invests in a security or in the futures contracts. Likewise, FRA influences prices. The currency exchange rate of the Eurodollar futures and American dollar Foreign Rate Agreements (FRA) high frequency data clearly indicates that the countless arbitrage opportunities are linked to the presence of stale FRA commodity prices as well as the oscillatory behavior of FRA quotes. And, Inter -market information flows are found to be of much shorter duration than previously reported with the futures market playing the dominant role in the information transmission process in the shorter -dated maturities. Many investors inject their money in short term interest rate futures and forward rate

History of Police in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History of Police in America - Essay Example Richardson (1970) and Roger Lane (1967) set everything rolling by defining the genesis of policing in New York and Boston respectively. Henceforth, other scholars have followed the trend with the descriptions of police agencies in various parts of the United States of America. Uchida also points out that some authors have focused on issues in policing. This is evident from the study carried out in 1977by Wilbur Miller. The study attempted to examine the legitimating of police in New York and London. Robert Fogelson (1977) and Samuel walker (1977) focused mainly on reform and professionalism of delinquent police during the 1800s and 1900s. It is also reported that Erick Monkkonen (1981) took a different approach from those used by his predecessors. He applied quantitative methods to analyze the advancement of policing between 1860 and the 1920s, considering 23 cities (Uchida, 2004). Despite using different methods, all of them exemplify how policing has developed over time. The schola rs cite the origins of the concepts like authority, crime prevention, discretion and professionalism. They also reveal the causes of policing problems including brutality, inefficiencies and corruption. The main objective of the paper is to explore the origin of policing. It will also describe the impacts of Sir Robert Peel on American policing. Finally, the paper will provide an analysis of the affiliation between the government of America and policing agencies across the U.S. explaining how the relationship may affect police practices. Uchida (2004) notes that like most of the US’ common law tradition, policing as it is today can be straightforwardly be associated with English heritage. He argues that notions pertaining to community policing, the posse, constables, crime prevention, and sheriffs emerged from the enforcement of regulations in England. Beginning 900 A.D., the responsibility to enforce law was vested in civilians. As a result, every common person was accountab le for helping a neighbors who fell victim to outlaws. Since there were no police officers then, people were forced to use force as sanctioned by the state to maintain harmony. Reith once (1956) described the law enforcement model as ‘kin police’. This implies that individuals were their brothers’ keepers and therefore took responsibility for their kin. Uchida (2004) reveals that the model slowly evolved into a formal community-based or ‘communitarian’ police system. It is reported that a community model was developed immediately after the Norman Conquest of 1066, called the frankpledge. Uchida (2004) notes that the frankpledge police system required that every male who 12 years of age be part of a group comprising 10 neighbors, called tything. The responsibility of the each tything was to arrest and take to court any member who committed a crime. In essence, every individual pledged participate in the protection of fellow citizens, and would in turn enjoy similar protection from others. Uchida points out that tything was obligatory in nature and no tythingmen were to be remunerated for the work the did. Rather, they were compelled by law to perform specific tasks. It is also reported that tythingmen also had the power to keep suspects in custody awaiting trial. They would also regularly appear before the courts to report any misdeed spotted among its members. The system required that failure by a member of the tything to carry out their duties called heavy fines for the entire group. Uchida (2004) notes that ten tythings were grouped into a hundred, under the direction of a leader who was an appointee of the local nobleman. This leader became the first policeman and was therefore the first official with law enforcement to

Safe use of Health Information Technology Research Paper

Safe use of Health Information Technology - Research Paper Example Poor workflow and inefficient communication inevitably create more health IT sentinel events. Although communication and workflow are vital, the clinical content must also be well-structured to enable effective communication (The Joint Commission, 2015). For example, health records managers must be supplied with relevant and cogent information because they enter clinical data into systems on an as-is basis. Wrong or illegible data creates problems during retrieval. The success of any health IT framework also depends on internal organizational policies, procedures and cultures. These three aspects should be congruent with the overall objectives of the health IT system. Some cultures, policies and procedures hinder the efficient operation of the system, leading to health sentinel IT situations (Johnson, 2014). The level of training received by health staff determines their effectiveness in their duties. However, training is merely a means to an end. Employees should be taught to follow set policies and procedures or their training will be futile. The type of hardware and software used in a specific health IT framework determines the frequency with which sentinel events occur. To this effect, hardware and software must be relevant, usable, and adaptable (The Joint Commission, 2015). External factors, including vendor and other issues occurring in the external environment can also cause a health sentinel IT event. In some cases, legal and social challenges (e.g., culture) can increase the number of health sentinel IT situations (Balgrosky, 2014). Research shows that regular system appraisal and monitoring significantly reduces the probability of critical situations

Nursing Practice Act Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nursing Practice Act - Assignment Example Nursing regulations will be up to date and cover emerging issues because the nursing board constantly reviews the various professional needs and makes, modifies, or repeals the rules and regulations where necessary. Nurses will need to adhere to the rules and regulations from the BON and constantly seek guidance from the board on unclear matters in nursing practice. The board of nursing has the power to approve the training programs for nurses. Upon initial and subsequent assessment of the nursing programs, the board can either approve, reject or withdraw an approval. The NPA guides decision-making processes on whether to approve or reject a nursing program. The curriculum of the program has to meet certain standards (Russell, 2012). This will enhance quality in the training of nurses and increase the number of competent nurses. The availability of well-trained nurses promotes professionalism in the workplace and the provision of quality nursing care. Nurses will check institutions b efore enrolling for nursing programs to ensure they have the rquisite approval by the board. The NPA ensures the protection of the public against unqualified persons by setting titles and licensing qualified nurses (Russell, 2012). The titles are Registered Nurses (RNs), and the Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/VNs). This will enhance quality in the training of nurses and increase the number of competent nurses. The availability of well-trained nurses promotes professionalism in the workplace and the provision of quality nursing.

European union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European union - Essay Example In addition to this, public law involving the commerce in European Union has fundamental significance:2 i. Most of the laws governing ECJ commercial circles whether directly or indirectly, are grounded on the European Union Laws ii. The framework which governs private businesses is widely derived from the rules that were established in 1957: that is, The Rome Treaty iii. Most of the sections of the regimes ruling and providing guidance and direction are either prescribed to European Union Regulations or largely affected by the â€Å"sectoral† agreements reached upon by the states in agreement. The reference of the aforementioned views are made to the C-213/89 Factortame (No1) [1990] ECR I-2433 Case 11/70: a case that involve the controversy in the fishing policy that were change in British. The fishing policy which started iin early 1970s was intended to make fishing within the EU member state of more economicvalue by giving people the liberty to access water freely in within the member states. The common fisheries policy of the European Union also was providing funds to make fishing modernized to meet the market demands. Becase of the increasing demands for fishing in the member states, the EU came up with another agreement in1980 with Spain on to allowance of the fishing agreement which defined to level of fishing grounds and the access points of fishing in the British grounds. As time advanced, the British felt a little uncormfortable with the magnitude of fishing that was taking place in their waters. Fishermen from Spain and elsewhere in the European Union started taking advantage of the fishing vessels that they had to penetrate the UK waters. This led the British to enacting various laws to curb this situation. The British law wanted that the only people who could fish on their water were to be those who were qualified: of which those who were qualified were the British citizen and a company registered in Britain whose 75% members were Brish citiz ens. This move sparked the heat of debate that led the major owners of the fishing vessels from Spain to seek the redress of the law. The people who were affected most were the Factortame from Spain. Their vessels could not meet the conditions that were set by the British newly established laws. The first aurgument advanced by the Factortame was that the British act of 1988 was offensive and could not be applicable to them. They made their reference to the EU law and the Treaty of Rome article 7 which scheduled that one ought not to be discriminated against on the grounds of race, gender and the nationality. According to the EU laws, they had the right to establish themselves in business anywhere and their company could be operative and situated in a nother member country. In general, the approach given to the ECJ to the administration of law, putting up a common honor and alignment to the framework of observance to the general rule of the community law, include values of the intern ational law and guarding the basic rights, is now more to the knowledge of the EU judges. The influence of human rights has made the standard approach in the judicial to grow very rapidly. Upon the investigation and consideration of the structure of the constitution of the European Union, and the numerous changes that have occurred in is so far, its basic structure can be categorized under three broad and general positions3. The

Safe use of Health Information Technology Research Paper

Safe use of Health Information Technology - Research Paper Example Poor workflow and inefficient communication inevitably create more health IT sentinel events. Although communication and workflow are vital, the clinical content must also be well-structured to enable effective communication (The Joint Commission, 2015). For example, health records managers must be supplied with relevant and cogent information because they enter clinical data into systems on an as-is basis. Wrong or illegible data creates problems during retrieval. The success of any health IT framework also depends on internal organizational policies, procedures and cultures. These three aspects should be congruent with the overall objectives of the health IT system. Some cultures, policies and procedures hinder the efficient operation of the system, leading to health sentinel IT situations (Johnson, 2014). The level of training received by health staff determines their effectiveness in their duties. However, training is merely a means to an end. Employees should be taught to follow set policies and procedures or their training will be futile. The type of hardware and software used in a specific health IT framework determines the frequency with which sentinel events occur. To this effect, hardware and software must be relevant, usable, and adaptable (The Joint Commission, 2015). External factors, including vendor and other issues occurring in the external environment can also cause a health sentinel IT event. In some cases, legal and social challenges (e.g., culture) can increase the number of health sentinel IT situations (Balgrosky, 2014). Research shows that regular system appraisal and monitoring significantly reduces the probability of critical situations

European union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

European union - Essay Example In addition to this, public law involving the commerce in European Union has fundamental significance:2 i. Most of the laws governing ECJ commercial circles whether directly or indirectly, are grounded on the European Union Laws ii. The framework which governs private businesses is widely derived from the rules that were established in 1957: that is, The Rome Treaty iii. Most of the sections of the regimes ruling and providing guidance and direction are either prescribed to European Union Regulations or largely affected by the â€Å"sectoral† agreements reached upon by the states in agreement. The reference of the aforementioned views are made to the C-213/89 Factortame (No1) [1990] ECR I-2433 Case 11/70: a case that involve the controversy in the fishing policy that were change in British. The fishing policy which started iin early 1970s was intended to make fishing within the EU member state of more economicvalue by giving people the liberty to access water freely in within the member states. The common fisheries policy of the European Union also was providing funds to make fishing modernized to meet the market demands. Becase of the increasing demands for fishing in the member states, the EU came up with another agreement in1980 with Spain on to allowance of the fishing agreement which defined to level of fishing grounds and the access points of fishing in the British grounds. As time advanced, the British felt a little uncormfortable with the magnitude of fishing that was taking place in their waters. Fishermen from Spain and elsewhere in the European Union started taking advantage of the fishing vessels that they had to penetrate the UK waters. This led the British to enacting various laws to curb this situation. The British law wanted that the only people who could fish on their water were to be those who were qualified: of which those who were qualified were the British citizen and a company registered in Britain whose 75% members were Brish citiz ens. This move sparked the heat of debate that led the major owners of the fishing vessels from Spain to seek the redress of the law. The people who were affected most were the Factortame from Spain. Their vessels could not meet the conditions that were set by the British newly established laws. The first aurgument advanced by the Factortame was that the British act of 1988 was offensive and could not be applicable to them. They made their reference to the EU law and the Treaty of Rome article 7 which scheduled that one ought not to be discriminated against on the grounds of race, gender and the nationality. According to the EU laws, they had the right to establish themselves in business anywhere and their company could be operative and situated in a nother member country. In general, the approach given to the ECJ to the administration of law, putting up a common honor and alignment to the framework of observance to the general rule of the community law, include values of the intern ational law and guarding the basic rights, is now more to the knowledge of the EU judges. The influence of human rights has made the standard approach in the judicial to grow very rapidly. Upon the investigation and consideration of the structure of the constitution of the European Union, and the numerous changes that have occurred in is so far, its basic structure can be categorized under three broad and general positions3. The

Human rights in Pakistan Essay Example for Free

Human rights in Pakistan Essay Pakistan’s human rights situation is a complex one, as a result of the countrys diversity, large population, its status as a developing country and a sovereign, Islamic republic as well as an Islamic democracy with a mixture of both Islamic and colonial secular laws. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the right to bear arms. These clauses are generally respected in practice. Clauses also provide for an independent Supreme Court, separation of executive and judiciary, an independent judiciary, independent Human Rights commission and freedom of movement within the country and abroad. Although the government has enacted measures to counter any problems, abuses remain. Furthermore, courts suffer from lack of funds, outside intervention, and deep case backlogs that lead to long trial delays and lengthy pretrial detentions. Many observers inside and outside Pakistan contend that Pakistan’s legal code is largely concerned with crime, national security, and domestic tranquility and less with the protection of individual rights. In May 2012, President Asif Ali Zardari signed the National Commission for Human Rights Bill 2012 for the promotion and protection of human rights in the country. Read more:  Current Situation of Pakistan Essay Political abuse of human rights:- Provincial and local governments have arrested journalists and closed newspapers that report on matters perceived as socially offensive or critical of the government. Journalists also have been victims of violence and intimidation by various groups and individuals. In spite of these difficulties, the press publishes freely, although journalists often exercise self-restraint in their writing. The government often ignores abuses against children and religious minorities, and government institutions and some Muslim groups have persecuted non-Muslims and used some laws as the legal basis for doing so. The Blasphemy Law, for example, allows life imprisonment or the death penalty for contravening Islamic principles, but legislation was passed in October 2004 to counter misuse of the law. Furthermore, the social acceptance of many these problems hinders their eradication. One prominent example is honor killings (â€Å"karo kari†),  which are believed to have accounted for more than 4,000 deaths from 1998 to 2003[citation needed]. Many view this practice as indicative of a feudal mentality and falsely anathema to Islam, but others defend the practice as a means of punishing violators of cultural norms and view attempts to stop it to as an assault on cultural heritage. Pakistans military intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and the police have been accused of arresting and kidnapping political leaders who have demanded more autonomy or freedom from Pakistan. They have also been accused of arresting student activists and teachers protesting the exploitation of Pakistani government. Many human-rights activists in Pakistan have protested against force disappearances and kidnappings. Humanitarian response to conflict:- Violence in Pakistan and the Taliban conflict with the government have heightened humanitarian problems in Pakistan. Political and military interests have been prioritised over humanitarian considerations in their offensives against the Taliban, and issues likely to get worse as people are encouraged back home prematurely and face once again being victims of the insurgents. Displacement is a key problem and humanitarian organisations are failing to address the basic needs of people outside displacement camps, nor are they able to address issues such as the conduct of hostilities and the politicisation of the emergency response. Researchers at the Overseas Development Institute argue that aid agencies face dilemmas with engaging with the government, as this does not always produce the desired results and can conflict with their aim of promoting stability and maintaining a principled approach. A principled approach limits their ability to operate when the government emphasises political and security considerations. There were over 500,000 people displaced in 2008, mainly from the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) on the border with Afghanistan, and a further 1.4 million from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in May 2009. By mid-July 2009, Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) put the total of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) at just over 2m, while unofficial figures are as high as 3.5m.[4] Most of those displaced (up to 80%) were taken in by relatives, friends and even strangers Pashtun communities in particular have displayed great efforts in assisting the displaced despite their own high levels of poverty. Still others use  schools, but only a small minority live in approximately 30 official camps, mainly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Oceanic Bank International PLC Training Methods and Practice

Oceanic Bank International PLC Training Methods and Practice INTRODUCTION The importance of training in the human resource management efforts of any organisation cannot be overemphasised. That is why training is key to the survival of every human resource strategy of any given organisation. Employee training is becoming a necessity to every organization nowadays as training enables them to carryout roles and responsibilities efficiently and also learn new things, which will prepare them to take up higher responsibilities in the future (Karthikeyan, Karthi Graf 2010). Human relations management training, broadly conceived, is a popular means by which numerous public organizations seek to enhance productivity. Public managers consume prodigious quantities of management training and should be seriously concerned with the effectiveness and success of such intake (Gerald, 1989). Traditionally, training and development was not seen as actively that could help, organizations create value and successfully deal with competitive challenges (Oludairo, 2006). According to Cascio (2003), many organizations both small and large shy away from training their employed because they think that by improving the skills of their workforce, their employees will be more marketable to competitors. And where there are well training programmes, there are poorly implemented, like too much fine wine, may actually impede rather than invigorate a robust organizational health (Gerald, 1989). Operational definitions of key concepts The Concept of Training Trainings focus has broadened in the past few years (Bernadin, 2003). Training used to focus mostly on teaching technical skills, such as training assemblers to solder wires or teachers to device lesson plans. However, technical training like that is no longer sufficient (Oludairo, 2006). In recent time, organization has had to adapt to rapid technological changes, provide quality goods and services, and increase revenue to stay competitive. Improving quality required remedial education training. Similarly, employees today need skills in team building, decision making, and communication as well as technological and computer skills (Oludairo, 2006). According to Fajana (2002), training is the process that involves developing skills and learning concepts, rules or attitudes in order to increase effectiveness on a particular job. Casco (2003) sees training consisting of planned programme designed to improve performance at the individual, group and/or organizational level. Ubeku (1975) in his own contribution, defines management training as the process of developing managers knowledge, skills and attitude through instruction, demonstration, practice, and planned experience to meet the present and future needs of the business. This management training is the same as development or management development. Development refers to the process of teaching managers and professional employees that knowledge, skills needed for present and future task accomplishment. Considering the above definitions, one can conclude that training and development involve the systematic and continuous developing skills, learning concepts, attitudes and knowledge needed by employees to perform effectively and efficiently at work. Oceanic Bank International PLC Oceanic Bank International Plc is regarded as one of banks that brought new revolution in the banking sector to Africa. Incorporated in on March 26, 1990, the bank commenced business on June 12, 1990. The bank has been growing from strength to strength since then. Its shares were listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange on June 25, 2004, having achieved a public liability company status. The bank is second to none in excellent deliveries and world class banking technologies in Africa. According to the banks website, the bank has a strong presence in asset management, commercial banking, health management, insurance, investment banking, pensions, registrar services, savings loans and trustee services, as well as over 370 business offices spread across Nigeria, Cameroun, the Gambia and Sà £o Tomà © Prà ­ncipe, Oceanic Bank is one of the most recognized financial services brands in West Africa. The rational for choosing Oceanic Bank for this essay is hinged on the fact that the author is an insider who has been working with the bank for years and have undergone series of training within the bank. Currently on the banks study leave, the author has unfettered access to the training methods and practices of the organisation and is able to specifically assess and examined the banks training methods and practices as demanded by the question at hand. Brief review of literature Various scholars and researchers have contributed to training especially in the banking sector. Among them is Richards (1997) who posits that during a management trainee programme, the real objective is to focus on the individual manager and not the position in the company. Richard contributed to training needs analysis, vis-a-vis; about core competencies, job profiling and identification of competencies gaps-either against core competencies for individuals or against job profiles for generic roles. Another important work that focuses on training in the banking industry is that of Niki Glaveli and Stella Kufidu (2005). The authors jointly analyzed the changes that took place in the Greek banking industry in three good years. The author also looks at the impact of the changes on the role of employees training and development for strategic implementation and success, using four case studies to investigate the effect of the environmental changes on these particular banks and the role of their training and development strategies in adjusting themselves to the changing industry environment (Glaveli Kufidu 2005). In a more related work to this study, Rainaye (2004) empirically examined the training policy in two commercial banks. The banks are the State Bank of India and Jammu Kashmir Bank Limited. The aim was to study some kind of training styles including Managements attitude towards training, training inputs, quality of training programmes and transfer of training to the job. The study found out that the training scenario is to a large extent satisfactory. The study also evaluates the opinions of the employees of two cadres of both banks and in particular that it can be made fully effective only when the training needs assessment and transfer of training to the job are considerably improved, besides bringing in finer improvements in other dimensions (Rainaye 2004). Badhu and Saxena (1999), in their work titled Role of Training in Developing Human Resources proved that an organization should have well-defined training policy as well as training manual and training should be made an ongoing process. The duo also proved that the executive development programmes have been found to be useful in improving the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of managers. In their research, Karthikeyan, Karthi Graf evaluated the effectiveness of training in six banks and how training contributes for growth of the banks. The study which carefully focussed on three public sector banks and three private sector banks has core objectives of analyzing the effectiveness of Training in selected banks in Tiruchirappalli District, South India and also to find the association between effectiveness of training and growth and result of banks. Assessing Training Needs Organisations spend over $200 billion annually on employee training and development (Wexley and Latham, 1991). They rely upon this training to help develop employee skills that are critical for success in todays fast-changing, competitive environment (Guthrie and Schwoerer, 1994). There training programs are a dubious investment, however, unless they are based upon a sound training needs assessment TNA (Goldstein, 1993). According to Burton and Thakur (2003), a good training program should identify: (i) the specific skill areas that are to be strengthened as a result of the training; and (ii) the resources that is available to support the training. They posit that an effective training process must begin with a thorough need analysis to clearly identify the learning to be achieved, and it must end with an objective training program evaluation. A comprehensive training needs assessment provides information on organization needs- the organizational units in need of training; task needs- the knowledge and skills trainees must acquire for effective job performance; and person needs-the individuals in need of specific types of training (Wexley and Latham, 1991 Guthrie and Schwoerer, 1994). As shown in the figure below, the first step of training process is the assessing of training needs and providing answers to the following questions: (i)Who needs the training?(ii) Exactly what do they need to know or be able to do? (iii)What do they already know or are now able to do? (Burton and Thakur,2003). The other steps deal with identification of training objective which should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound, implementation of training program, evaluation, and adjustment if necessary. Assess training needs Who need to be trained? What do they need to know? What do they already know? Set training objectives (specific, measurable etc.) Plan training evaluation Did trainees like the training? Can they meet the training objectives? Do they perform better on the job? Develop training program: content, location, methods, trainers, duration Conduct Training Evaluate Training Modify training program based on evaluation Training methods and practices at Oceanic Bank International PLC Oceanic bank places great importance on its training and thats why the bank is known as a workplace where staff can really learn and work at the same time. Training at oceanic bank intl plc has been an important task or function to be completed by the human resources department. Whichever level an employee enters the organization; it is mandatory for such new employee to go through series of training both on- the- job and off- the- job. The Oceanic Leadership Academy The oceanic Leadership Academy is the training school for the bank. It is the first port of call for every new staff of the bank. The new staff members resume rigorous academic studies in the Academy for five weeks where their success is chiefly determined by written and oral examinations. The Academy goes a long way to determine whether a new staff will be retained in the bank or sent packing as staff who failed the short course will be asked to leave the employment of the bank. The Academy has very reach curriculum and work modules, most of which are packaged to deliver the peculiar nature and businesses of the bank. The Oceanic Academy, being the learning arm of the bank is run by the Human Resource department. According to the Banks websites, the department is responsible for all capacity building and training interventions aimed at developing the skills and capabilities of employees, thus improving their competencies on the job, their overall productivity and the competitiveness of Oceanic Bank Group. Induction courses After the graduating from the Academy, the induction processes of the bank follows. Induction training is conducted to newly employed staffs of oceanic bank within the branches of the bank. The programme is intended to improve the financial literacy of participants whilst strengthening their knowledge and competencies. This is carried out both on-the -job and off- the-job which enables the new entry level officers to understand the business and development of skills needed to carry out their job functions required by the organisations standard and practise. A one-week induction course for experienced new hires and a three-day induction course are available to certain grade levels. In addition, desk-to-desk induction is structured specifically for senior management staff. Off-the-job training in Oceanic Bank This is a training programme outside the organization which is encouraged by the bank. The bank usually sponsors and support their staffs for specialised training in various fields especially in the area of the modern day technology, credit and mortgage. Staffs are been sent on training in different training programmes such as (core banking application) finacle training in Indian and other European countries. Such staffs have come back more enlighten and are able to pass done such knowledge to subordinate and co- workers. On-the-job training in Oceanic bank Oceanic bank make most use of on-the-job training by assigning a trainer to the newly employee to put such employee through by learning the practical aspect of the job on-the-job. Job rotation is also an important training method employed by the bank where staff members are been moved from different department to gain more experience and familiarise themselves with all areas of banking, from marketing, credit, operations and application of core banking software. Oceanic bank staff members gain a lot through job rotation as given employees opportunity to work in different department of the bank is helpful. This initiative also helps staff members to move round different department which enable them bring in new ideas to other departments to enhance employee performance. Job rotation of staff also reduces boredom on the job because of diverse task to be carried out by employees. This also enables the staff to understand all the core aspect of banking as well as working with different people and senior managers across the business. Knowledge sharing section: This is a training programme designed by oceanic bank to be conducted by each branch on weekly basis. It is anchored by designated staff of the bank on a rotation basis. The aim is to bridge learning gaps on the operations of the bank. This is done specifically to update each staff of the bank on operations of the bank, the position of the bank, introduction of new products as well as knowledge outside the banking operations Short courses in Oceanic bank The bank periodically organizes Open Courses which cover diverse areas of development including Leadership, Communication, Health and Wellness, Credit Skills, Marketing Skills and Soft Skills. Mostly the bank sends mails to staffs to indicate there interest whenever the organisation organises open courses for staff The bank encourages the staff to register and monitors their progress for professional courses. In line with this the Oceanic Academy partners with various organisations like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) in the area of Continuous Professional Development Programmes. They also encourage personal development of each staffs by allowing staffs to go on study leave for further studies, and opportunity the writer of this essay is currently enjoying. E- learning: This is the bank internet training facilities provided to the employees of the bank for training purpose. There are various materials on this site which employees can read and download to enable them broaden their knowledge on the core banking subjects as well as non-banking related areas of study. Effectiveness of Oceanic Bank Training programmes The oceanic bank training scheme is by far one of the best in the banking sector as attested to by staff of other banks. The programme is well structured in such a way that it makes it easy for every member of staff to undergo it without any stress. This is desirable as it makes the staff to love and appreciate their work. This in turn encourages efficiency and increased productivity. Because staff had gone through certain training processes, they are confident in doing their job and they build up work ego and pride in delivering stated task. Shortcomings of the Oceanic Bank Training programmes While it is good to have a formal training school for staff training like the Oceanic bank leadership academy, it is somewhat unfair to based performance of new staff on classroom examinations, worstill, that those who failed the examination are shown the way out of the employment. This is hinged on the commonly known assertion that examination is never the best way of testing human knowledge. A very good staff that has sound practical knowledge of the banking system might be unable to successfully pass written examination for one reason or the other. For this reason, the mode of determining whoever successfully passed through the academy is put to question. Another shortcoming observed from the Oceanic Bank Training programmes is the management of the delivery of the on-the-job training. More often than not in the department where this author work, the pressure of work and overwhelming customer demands and queries do not allow room for teaching someone else on the job. The implication is that most new staff spend longer than usual in learning new skills while working. Often, those doing the training may have no experience in training, no time to do it, and no desire to participate in it. Under such conditions, learners essentially are on their own, and training likely will not be effective. Another problem is that on-the-job training can disrupt the flow of regular work. Unfortunately, on-the-job training can amount to no training at all in some circumstances, especially if trainers simply abandon the trainees to learn the job alone. Also bad habits or incorrect information from supervisor or manager can be transferred to the trainees. Conclusions and Recommendations for Improvement Owing to the complex nature of jobs in the banking sector, the importance of employee training has increased. In a rapidly changing society, employee training is not only an activity that is desirable but also an activity that an organization must commit resources to, if it is to maintain a viable and knowledgeable workforce Karthikeyan ,Karthi Graf (2010) Because of the enormous advantages of training to an organisation, the amount spent should be seen as an investment rather as a cost to the organisation. Training has been a very formidable part of every organisation. In fact it is a prerequisite for effective employees performance and growth on their jobs. Logically speaking, the higher the quality of training an employee receives, the higher the quality of productivity and vice versa. It must be stressed therefore, that training and development improve quality, customer satisfaction, morale, profitability, business expansion and development i.e. overall organizational productivity. Hence, it gives organizations competitive advantage. This essay recommends an informal approach to accessing staff performance in the training school, vis-avis, the Oceanic Bank Leadership Academy. In this way, emphasis should be laid on assessing the delivery of practical tasks assigned to the new staff rather than just asking them to write written examinations. Also, new staff should not be laid off for failing the written examinations in the academy. It is also recommended that on-the-job training should be more formalise such that pressure and workload would be reduced from the shoulder of the trainer. Such trainer, as a matter of fact, should be allowed concentrate more on the trainee rather than the customers during the period of the induction. It is also advisory that Oceanic bank introduces a kind of personality development programmes such as role play, group discussion and business games. By this, the senior, management and other lower staff can build synergy and the superior and subordinate relationship can be strengthened for the overall productivity of the bank. In General, the Human Resources department should enhance their training programmes in line with latest demands in the banking sector, especially in this age of online bank and sophisticated fraud. This is because every organization that want to survive in this very dynamic world of banking needs to have well-trained and experienced people to perform the activities that have to be done.