Capital Investment Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Capital Investment Process - Essay Example Therefore, it was always implied that despite techniques used to make the future more clear, capital investment decision requires a manager to use intuition. This study of a Boston Mayflower - a residential social landlord with about 5,000 houses - indicates that more accent must be put on qualitative appraisal techniques. The essay begins with building a theoretical base to get the reader familiar with some basic concepts of capital investment appraisal theory. The second part of the essay is devoted to a step-by-step analysis of the investment project of Boston Mayflower. This part of the essay is devoted to the description of methods used in the analysis of capital investment. Developed theoretical frameworks include several different techniques of analysis varying mainly in measures of investments. In other words, it is clear that the ultimate goal of every investment is maximisation of owner's wealth; however specific characteristics of every project oblige management to choose carefully and with correspondence to the most vital needs of the business. The most typical example is the choice between long-term investment project with high return value and short-term project but with lesser return. Although the first development plan will lead to better profits in the end, sometimes a company chooses the second one. That means the time factor is more important for owners than greater profits in the illustrated case. Generally, capital investment decisions are always connected to the following list of specific features: a significant outlay of cash; long-term involvement with greater risks and uncertainty because forecasts of the future are less reliable; irreversibility of some projects due to their specialised nature, for example, plant which having been bought with a specific project in mind may have little or no scrap value; a significant time lag between commitment of resources and the receipt of benefits; management's ability is often stretched with some projects demanding an awareness of all relevant diverse factors; limited resources require priorities on capital expenditure; project completion time requires adequate continuous control information as costs can be exceeded by a significant amount. (McGrath, 1998) These characteristics make the managerial decision even more important, as it must be connected with the strategy of a company. Simply, a manager should choose not the most profit-making project, but the most suitable one for the business strategy of his/her company. This statement leads to a careful choice of the evaluation technique used to determine, which investment plan complements best the chosen strategy. There several factors, which should be taken into consideration during evaluation of investment opportunities: initial cost of the project; phasing of the expenditure; estimated life of the investment; amount and timing of the

Evolution of Corporate Social Responisbility Essay

Evolution of Corporate Social Responisbility - Essay Example Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has grown as a part of management and corporate governance during the last two decades. However, it is hard to imagine that this concept, corporate social responsibility, only started in the Western world in the end of the 18th century. Discussion includes the evolution of CSR and how this concept has come to life during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. But what is noticeable through this regurgitation of history remains the hard battle that common people had to fight in order to have a humane society to live in; hence the crucial foundation of corporate social responsibility. The actual term came to light in the beginning of the 20th century, in which this ideology was concerned with a series of corporate scandals in the United States. According to a variety of sources CSR was accepted in different companies and corporations as a part of corporate management in different periods of the 20th century. In recent times, one can clarify four main opinions about CSR and corporate social investing habits in CSR: classical and modern view, cost and beneficial view of such investing in long-term run (Quazi and O'Brien, 2000). This paper examines the evolution of CSR, in terms of the development and integration of this social responsibility into corporate behaviour. ... Section three discusses the Second Industrial Revolution, time in which the world was stricken by different corporate scandals, and in response, the on-set of firms announcing CSR as a part of management and private organisations. Section four highlights the basic changes, which were brought by World War II. These changes were critical in defining the development of CSR. Modern times and establishing CSR in different companies and countries, particularly in Japan, are described in sections five and six, respectively. 2. First Industrial Revolution (1760-1830) This section will discuss the transformation of job structures, capitalism and suffering people for the First Industrial Revolution. Our discussion of the evolution of CSR begins with the First Industrial Revolution because it was an important step in economic transformation. 2.1 Transformation of job structure: New Technologies The First Industrial Revolution was a great step in economic transformation. Its birth is attributed to the introduction of new technologies of production. There was rapid growth in productivity and living standards. The First Industrial Revolution originated in Great Britain around 1760. It was marked (Chandler, 1977) by the adoption of three new technologies: the steam engine, relying on the energy of the fossil fuel, coal; machines for spinning thread and weaving cloth; furnaces- to make iron ore into finished metal by using coal. During the period of the First Industrial Revolution, 1760 till 1830, the transformation of societies took place. It was a marked change from agricultural and rural society to industrialize and urbanize. Before those processes all of the factory's employment was domestic labour, or the so-called cottage

Aviation Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Aviation - Case Study Example Most people avoid the airport if they have urgent business. The reason for these delays has been blamed on the capacity of the airport visa vie the growing demand. Possible revenue has been lost by the airport due to the delay. The problem has been identified and, therefore, measures to curb the problem should be developed. The airport has a potential market and, therefore, investment for redesigning of the terminal and ground access (runway) will be recouped faster. Expansion of the terminal will enhance the speed of security check and other services requisite for the passenger. Ground access give the chance for planes to land and take-off, and this delays plane from landing and departing, extra runways should be constructed for take-off and landing off planes. If the two elements are taken into account ALICE Spring Airport will be more efficient and more passengers will be lured into the airport. Passengers are always time conscious and will choose an airport where processes will be

Evolution of Corporate Social Responisbility Essay

Evolution of Corporate Social Responisbility - Essay Example Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has grown as a part of management and corporate governance during the last two decades. However, it is hard to imagine that this concept, corporate social responsibility, only started in the Western world in the end of the 18th century. Discussion includes the evolution of CSR and how this concept has come to life during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. But what is noticeable through this regurgitation of history remains the hard battle that common people had to fight in order to have a humane society to live in; hence the crucial foundation of corporate social responsibility. The actual term came to light in the beginning of the 20th century, in which this ideology was concerned with a series of corporate scandals in the United States. According to a variety of sources CSR was accepted in different companies and corporations as a part of corporate management in different periods of the 20th century. In recent times, one can clarify four main opinions about CSR and corporate social investing habits in CSR: classical and modern view, cost and beneficial view of such investing in long-term run (Quazi and O'Brien, 2000). This paper examines the evolution of CSR, in terms of the development and integration of this social responsibility into corporate behaviour. ... Section three discusses the Second Industrial Revolution, time in which the world was stricken by different corporate scandals, and in response, the on-set of firms announcing CSR as a part of management and private organisations. Section four highlights the basic changes, which were brought by World War II. These changes were critical in defining the development of CSR. Modern times and establishing CSR in different companies and countries, particularly in Japan, are described in sections five and six, respectively. 2. First Industrial Revolution (1760-1830) This section will discuss the transformation of job structures, capitalism and suffering people for the First Industrial Revolution. Our discussion of the evolution of CSR begins with the First Industrial Revolution because it was an important step in economic transformation. 2.1 Transformation of job structure: New Technologies The First Industrial Revolution was a great step in economic transformation. Its birth is attributed to the introduction of new technologies of production. There was rapid growth in productivity and living standards. The First Industrial Revolution originated in Great Britain around 1760. It was marked (Chandler, 1977) by the adoption of three new technologies: the steam engine, relying on the energy of the fossil fuel, coal; machines for spinning thread and weaving cloth; furnaces- to make iron ore into finished metal by using coal. During the period of the First Industrial Revolution, 1760 till 1830, the transformation of societies took place. It was a marked change from agricultural and rural society to industrialize and urbanize. Before those processes all of the factory's employment was domestic labour, or the so-called cottage

Community Health Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Community Health Nursing - Essay Example In the past, those applying for health insurance had to have restrictions included in their medical insurance offering if they had additional medical conditions. In South Carolina, individuals who are eligible for HIPAA can choose to acquire individual medical insurance from the state’s High Risk Pool which is required to proffer individual medical insurance to all persons, including those with medical conditions. There are also organizations such as Medicaid to cover individuals who live on a limited income and have fulfilled the requirements of the South Carolina’s Medicaid eligibility panel. Mini-Med, or Guaranteed Health Insurance, is another option for individuals that are not able to meet the requirements for personal major medical insurance. These options are attainable for most people as those who have problems with income have the option of purchasing an insurance plan which has lower premiums and a high deductible that will cover them for accidents or even major illnesses. Such individuals could also opt for temporary health insurance in order to obtain stopgap coverage when unemployed. My definition of health is influenced by a combination of factors. My education stipulates that physical health is achieved when the body is not affected by illnesses and has elements from the major food groups to oversee its continuation. However, my culture also emphasizes on the importance of spiritual as well as mental health if a human being is to be completely healthy. I live in a multicultural society, and so my definition of health is also affected by the beliefs of different cultures in my community. For instance, there are people who feel that it is very important for family connections to remain close if all members of the family are to remain in optimum health. This is because this particular community beliefs that bad relationships in the family, or strained ties, interfere with the positive energy within families which is

World Without Public Schools Essay Example for Free

World Without Public Schools Essay Should America have public schools, or would we do better without them? Nothing is more important to this country than the transformation of children into educated American citizens. Thats what public schools are for, and no institutions are better suited to the rolein principle. They used to fill it with distinction. But theres no reason we must have public schools. Granted, the public has a strong interest in educating Americas children, at a cost thats divided equitably among all taxpayers and not borne by the parents of school-age children alone. But these requirements dont imply any need for public schools. We need an Air Force, and the Air Force needs planes. Taxpayers pay for the force and the planes. But the pilots are supplied directly by the government, the airplanes by private companies (with government oversight and assistance). Schooling might be furnished on either model: mainly by public or mainly by private organizations. We know that private schools are perfectly capable of supplying first-class educations. So the question stands: Why have public schools? How should we decide whether to have them or not? Vouchers have been a popular and promising (and controversial) idea for years. Under voucher plans, the public pays part or all of the bill when a child attends private school. But here I am talking about the whole hog, not just the tail and a couple of trotters. If sending some children to private school at public expense is worth discussing, why not sending all children to private school? Why not liberate all the vast resources we spend on public schools to be re-channeled to private schools chosen by the nations parents? Any public school offering an education that parents will actually pay for (of their own free will) would presumably be replaced by a private school offering essentially the same thing. But a vast array of new private schools would germinate also. And a vast number of failed public schools would disappear. I n the system I am picturing, education would continue to be free and accessible to every child, and all taxpayers would continue to pay for it. Parents would be guaranteed access to reasonable schools that cost them nothing beyond what they pay in taxes. It would all be just like todayexcept that public schools would have vanished. Would private organizations be capable of providing enough new schools to replace our gigantic public schools establishment? Private enterprise is alleged to be smarter and more resourceful in America than anywhere else in the world. So lets suppose that private schools can indeed meet the needs of nearly all parents. Do we actually need and want our public schools, or do we keep them around out of fear of the teachers unionsand habit, like a broken childs toy we are too sentimental to throw away? The basic law of public schools Many sources agree that, on the whole, American public schools are rotten. In 2000, a whopping 12 percent of graduating seniors were rated proficient in science, and international surveys rank our graduating seniors 19th overall out of 21 nations. In 2002, the Washington Post summarized a different survey: Nearly six in 10 of the nations high school seniors lack even a basic knowledge of U. S. history. And so on. Our public schools are widely agreed to be in bad shape. But these are only problems of incompetence. Others cut deeper. The basic law of public schools is this: Public schools are first and foremost agents of the public. They exist to transform children into educated citizens as the public understands this termin other words, as a public consensus defines it. Of course the United States is a large country; standards have always differed from state to state. So each state has its own public schools, charged with satisfying the consensus definition of educated citizen in that state. In 1898, Nicholas Murray Butler (soon to be president of Columbia University) described universities in terms that make explicit this connection, one that is almost forgotten today. In order to become greatindeed, in order to exist at all, he wrote, a university [or public school! ] must represent the national life and minister to it. When the universities of any country cease to be in close touch with the social life and institutions of the people, and fail to yield to the efforts of those who would readjust them, their days of influence are numbered. The same is true of any system of educational organization. Public schools even more than universities must represent the national life and minister to it. They must minister to the consensus definition of an educated citizen. And what is a consensus? Unanimity or general agreement on matters of opinion, according to Websters; solid agreement by a large majority. And in states where there is no public consensus or general agreement on the meaning of educated citizen, public schools are in an impossible position. They cant act for the public if the public cant decide how they should act. This is true without regard to whether the schools are working well or badly. Today there are few states or none where a public consensus or general agreement exists on what educated citizen means. Schools exist not only to teach skills but to mold character. (Although many object to this old-fashioned language, few Americans disagree that schools must teach an approach to life, a worldview, a moral framework. ) The culture war that has been underway since the late 60s is precisely a war over approaches to life and worldviews and moral frameworks. Our politics mirror that divide. In the 2004 presidential election, Kerry and Bush differed on politics, but stood also for two different worldviews in the larger senseKerry the globalizing man-of-the-world with his European experience versus the plainspoken, ranch-living, Bible-quoting Bush. In simplest terms, Kerry stood for globalism, Bush for Americanism. As between these divergent visions, the country split down the middle. Its pretty clear that no consensus or general agreement on the nature of education is likely to exist in a country thats so divided. Which suggests in turn that, for now, the age of the American public school is over. Obviously we shouldnt make such judgments on the basis of short-term disagreements or divisions. But Americas culture war has been underway for a generation at least. You might argue that the solution is to have two varieties of public school, roughly moderate left and moderate right, each with its own curriculum, textbooks, and standards, and its own version of a worldview or moral framework to teach children. Every neighborhood or local region would vote on left versus right local schools. In many areas such elections would be extraordinarily hard-fought and bitteryet the solution might work, except that the school establishments bias is so consistently left (and not moderate left either) that it seems unlikely we could trust it to operate moderate right schoolsor even neutral schools, if there were such a thing. (The public schools bias often shows itself in exactly the form of neutrality, as Ill discuss. If you declare yourself neutral as between America and her enemies, or normal sexuality and homosexuality, your neutrality in itself is bias. ) Of course this whole analysis might be wrong. Maybe I misunderstand the point of public schools. Was there ever a consensus in this country on what an educated citizen should be? Maybe we always have been content for the schools to speak for just one section of American society, never the whole. What would the nation look like without public schools? Nearly all existing public school buildings would be leased to private schools. All the private schools in any town or district would discuss programs and fees among themselves (which would not count as illegal price-fixing), and with the public too, via local government or town meetings. Any public school whose staff believes in it would be allowed to keep its building and reorganize on a new basis. Some large public schools, especially high schools, would reorganize as confederacies of separate schools sharing one building: a science and math school, humanities school, arts school, sports school. Many students could attend more than one simultaneously. The Internets most important role might be to help coordinate such complicated arrangements. (Though its also true that a well-designed Internet school might attract students from all over the country. ) One final question: Is there any chance that Abolition will be acted on, or even discussed? Dont hold your breath. Yet it would take just one prominent (even medium-prominent) politician or public figure to get America talking. We desperately need this national discussion. And what could be healthier for Americas public schools than to learn that they might not be immortal after all?

Analysis of Norman Rockwell’s Painting The Catch Essay -- Norman Rockw

What does one need to be happy? Is it a nice car? Maybe it's a new pair of shoes? What about success? What defines success and what does one need to be successful? The truth is, it depends on one's definition. Success can be defined in different ways. Success could be defined as being financially stable, or it could be something as simple as feeling accomplished with achieved goals. Norman Rockwell’s painting â€Å"The Catch† offers refreshing ideas on what it means to be happy and what one needs to be successful. At first glance, Rockwell’s painting illustrates a successful day of fishing for three young friends, all of whom have their catch for the day strung in one hand and their fishing gear in the other. Out of the three boys in the picture, there is a well-dressed boy in the center, and two boys standing on either side of him. The two boys standing on either side are dressed in rags, and are only using measly twigs for fishing poles. The boy who is positioned in the center of the frame is well-dressed and fitted in elegant clothing, but stands with his shoulders shrugged and with a sullen look on his face. Surprisingly, the two boys in tattered clothes appear ecstatic with bubbly expressions painted ear to ear. The details of the boys’ emotions in Rockwell’s painting raise questions about the relationship between money and happiness. Theories regarding the ties between money and happiness have been thought about for centuries. Shakespeare expressed his theory on the matter when he wrote â€Å"Poor and content is rich, and rich enough† (Shakespeare, 3.3.177). Shakespeare’s words can be translated to the idea that even if a person does not have a lot of money, if that person is content, they are rich enough by means other than mon... ...to be happy and what it means to be successful. Being happy is not the same as being rich, and money is not a necessity for being happy or successful. Money can be facilitative in accomplishing tasks, but money cannot buy success. Works Cited Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. â€Å"Flow, the Secret to Happiness.† TED. February 2004. Guest lecture. Rand, Ayn. Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights. Web. 11 June 2015. http://www.aynrand.org/ Rockwell, Norman. The Catch. 1919. Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge. Norman Rockwell Museum. Oil on canvas. November 12, 2013. Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice. Ed. Tucker Brooke and Lawrence Mason. New Haven: Yale UP, 1947. Print. Venzia, Mike. Norman Rockwell. Danbury: Grolier, 2000. Print. Wattles, Wallace D. The Science of Getting Rich. Blacksburg: Thrifty Books, 2009. Print.