Thursday, September 3, 2020

Internet & Society Essay Example for Free

Web Society Essay The world is changing and numerous new advances are being grown constantly. Our every day life is influenced by these changes. The progressions will turn out to be quicker in future. Web is one most significant consequence of evolving advancements. It has become a piece of our day by day life. Each new innovation has its own belongings. Some of them are certain and some might be negative. We should stay away from the negative impacts. Innovation ought to be utilized in a positive way, else it will demolish us. Web is an astounding making of the innovation. The entire world is influenced by it and all individuals are straightforwardly or by implication related with it. Web is very useful for various people. Understudies take help of web for their schoolwork. Speculators use web for the data about stocks. Game fans watch score and insights. Web has replaced TV. Today web is same as the TV in 1940-50s. Web is more helpful and profitable than TV. Be that as it may, it isn't workable for each individual to utilize the web. Web likewise made an impact on the print media and it is progressively supplanting the print media on the grounds that a magazine or paper can be distributed requiring little to no effort on the web. There is no need of ink and paper on the web and less specialists are required. That’s why print media is exploiting web. Web is the fundamental purpose for the upheaval in the public eye. Due to the web, correspondence between the various nations, social orders, networks got conceivable. Before the web innovation there was no other correspondence framework being so immense to communicate the thoughts and the emotions. Through web information, voice, and video correspondence is conceivable. For the most part individuals abstain from addressing obscure individual. Web has demonstrated extremely helpful for such sort of individuals, since they talk with individuals without indicating their age, looks and class. Individuals find numerous companions through the web. Numerous open locales give this office. Individuals can increase numerous companions through these locales. Numerous youngsters are procuring cash with the assistance of web by web structuring, game development, filling in as an independent essayist. It implies web gives numerous chances to the individuals. Web has contracted the world. Today every nation is associated with another nation with the assistance of web. Individuals of one nation or society are getting comfortable with the way of life of another nation or society. With the assistance of web the individuals who have information got their situation in the general public. At present internet shopping has gotten exceptionally well known. Individuals are purchasing items from their home with the assistance of the web. Individuals purchase items requiring little to no effort from the web as contrast with showcase since organizations can set aside cash of shops and laborers in web based shopping. Joined state based organization Amazon. com is the best case of web based shopping organization. Individuals can discover every single thing at lower cost on this site. As of late a few organizations have permitted their representatives to work at home with the assistance of web since work environment has gotten extremely upsetting and the contamination likewise expanded in some last years. This is exceptionally profitable in light of the fact that an individual can set aside cash and time by telecommuting. The Internet gives the right to speak freely of discourse. The individuals who don’t have boldness can pass on their thoughts with the assistance of web with no dread. With the assistance of web presently individuals are universally associated. An individual can speak with the individual of other piece of the word whenever through web. Presently individuals are associated socially and expertly by the utilization of web. Web is truly appropriate and reasonable mechanism of correspondence. Today we can put in a request just by click a catch. Presently we can book inns, flights and train tickets on the web. Web made the correspondence simple. Presently we can speak with the assistance of email, video conferencing, texting, and Voice over Internet Proxy (VoIP). Individuals can without much of a stretch get data with the assistance of web on the grounds that there is an immense database on the web related with each article. Individuals are securing positions with the assistance of web. We can submit numerous structures on the web, which spares time. On web we can conclude what news or data we need to peruse. Web is additionally assuming a significant job in the field of diversion. We can play numerous games and understand puzzles. Melodies can be listened on the web and we can watch recordings on web. There are some awful impacts additionally, as a result of the web on the general public. Erotic entertainment is a terrible impact of the web. Sexual material is effectively accessible on web and society is tolerating this material decisively. In view of this enthusiasm of the individuals in sex is expanding step by step. Accordingly, sex-related violations are expanding constantly. In view of the web a great deal of employments have been lost, in light of the fact that few individuals are required to run a webpage. On account of the web based shopping individuals don't leave their home. This is a purpose for the numerous sicknesses, for example, weight. Internet shopping isn't useful for the nearby economy in light of the fact that the vast majority of these web based shopping locales are universal. Web isn't generally solid, in light of the fact that there is a danger of breaking the security. There is everything is as double data. On web we are subject to others for our security. We can not without a doubt ensure our data. With the assistance of information mining our data can be burglary. Copyright issue has become an incredible issue now days. Personality of an individual can be robbery with the assistance of web. There are numerous other awful impacts of the web, for example, meeting with the individuals whom you met web based, giving individual data to a total more interesting, giving incorrectly data. An individual can be effectively cheated by the web. Numerous fear mongers are utilizing web innovation for correspondence by utilizing an off-base location. Youngster sex entertainment, charge card fakes, surveillance, web based following, kidnappings are some other awful impacts of the web on the general public. Presently it very well may be said that it relies upon us how web influences society. Web can be demonstrated exceptionally helpful on the off chance that we use it a positive way. Numerous laws are made for forestalling web wrongdoings, however these violations are still there. There is a need of requirement of these laws. Web can be helpful for the general public. It is the best vehicle of correspondence and it tends to be said a decent stage for communicating your thoughts. There are a great deal of changes in the general public as a result of the web. Web upgraded the status of the living. Today data and training about the protected utilization of PC has gotten significant. There are numerous detriments of the web, however I think it has truly improved our lives.There is a need of instruction and authorization of the laws. References Cole J. I. The Impact of the Internet on Our Social,Political and Economic Life. The UCCLA Center for correspondence Policy. 2000. Cuizon, G. Web Crime: How Does It Affect Our Society?. April 15, 2008. Recovered February 24, 2009 from http://www. socyberty. com/Crime/Internet-Crime-How-Does-It-Affect-Our-Society. 109754 Nie, N. Investigation of social Consequences of the Internet. Stanford Institute of the Quantitative Study of Society (SIQSS). 2000. Upsides and downsides of the Internet in todays society. Recovered February 24, 2009 from http://www. helium. com/things/779510-upsides and downsides of-the-web in-todays-society Purdy, R. The Internet-Boon or Detriment to Society? Recovered February 24, 2009 from http://iml. jou. ufl. edu/ventures/STUDENTS/Purdy/INDEX. HTM Rajani, M. K. Chandio, M. S. Utilization of Internet and its consequences for our Society. Recovered February 24, 2009 from http://www. szabist. edu. pk/ncet2004/Docs/Session%20VIII%20Paper%20No%202%20(P%20157-161). pdf The Internets Effect on Society. November 19, 2001. Recovered February 24, 2009 from http://www. bbc. co. uk/dna/h2g2/A650684

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Amsterdam Company Essay

Question 2 Introduced beneath is data identified with Rembrandt Inc.’s stock. (per unit)SkisBootsParkas Verifiable Cost273.79152.7576.37 Selling Price312.70208.95106.27 Cost to distribute27.3811.533.60 Current substitution cost292.52151.3173.49 Ordinary benefit margin46.1141.7930.62 Decide the accompanying: Question 3 Matlock Company utilizes a ceaseless stock framework. Its starting stock comprises of 67 units that cost $40 each. During June, the organization bought 202 units at $40 each, returned 8 units for credit, and sold 168 units at $67 each. Journalize the June exchanges. Question 4 Amsterdam Company utilizes an intermittent stock framework. For April, when the organization sold 700 units, the accompanying data is accessible. Figure the April 30 stock and the April cost of products sold utilizing the normal cost strategy. Question 5 Amsterdam Company utilizes an occasional stock framework. For April, when the organization sold 600 units, the accompanying data is accessible. Register the April 30 stock and the April cost of merchandise sold utilizing the FIFO technique. Question 6 (FIFO, LIFO, Average Cost Inventory) Esplanade Company was shaped on December 1, 2011. The accompanying data is accessible from Esplanade’s stock records for Product BAP. PurchasesUnitsUnit Cost January 1, 2012(beginning inventory)7628.00 January 5, 20121,5249.00 January 25, 20121,65110.00 February 16, 20121,06111.00 Walk 26, 201276212.00 A physical stock on March 31, 2012, shows 2,032 units close by. Get ready calendars to register the closure stock at March 31, 2012, under every one of the accompanying stock strategies. Accept Esplanade Company utilizes the occasional stock strategy. Question 7 Floyd Corporation has the accompanying four things in its consummation stock. Decide the last lower of cost or market stock an incentive for every thing. Question 8 Kumar Inc. utilizes an interminable stock framework. At January 1, 2013, stock was $320,786 at both expense and market esteem. At December 31, 2013, the stock was $428,714 at cost and $403,231 at advertise esteem. Set up the important December 31 passage under: Question 9 Boyne Inc. had starting stock of $15,000 at cost and $25,000 at retail. Net buys were $150,000 at cost and $212,500 at retail. Net markups were $12,500; net markdowns were $8,750; and deals were $196,250. Register finishing stock at cost utilizing the regular retail technique. Question 10 (Net Profit Method) Astaire Company utilizes the gross benefit strategy to appraise stock for month to month detailing purposes. Introduced underneath is data for the month of May. Question 11 Previn Brothers Inc. bought land at a cost of $30,400. Shutting costs were $1,820. An old structure was evacuated at an expense of $14,850. What sum ought to be recorded as the expense of the land? Question 12 Garcia Corporation bought a truck by giving a $108,000, 4-year, zero-enthusiasm bearing note to Equinox Inc. The market pace of enthusiasm for commitments of this nature is 10%. Set up the diary passage to record the acquisition of this truck. Question 13 Mohave Inc. bought land, building, and gear from Laguna Corporation for a money installment of $352,800. The evaluated reasonable estimations of the benefits are land $67,200, building $246,400, and gear $89,600. At what sums should every one of the three resources be recorded? Question 14 Defender Company acquired land by giving 2,000 portions of its $12 standard worth basic stock. The land was as of late assessed at $103,700. The normal stock is effectively exchanged at $50 per share. Set up the diary section to record the procurement of the land. Question 15 Navajo Corporation exchanged a pre-owned truck (cost $23,600, collected deterioration $21,240) for a little PC worth $4,366. Navajo additionally paid $1,180 in the exchange. Set up the diary passage to record the trade. Question 16 Mehta Company exchanged a pre-owned welding machine (cost $10,080, collected deterioration $3,360) for office gear with an expected reasonable estimation of $5,600. Mehta likewise paid $3,360 money in the exchange. Set up the diary section to record the trade. Question 17 Devaluation is typically figured based on the closest A). entire month and to the closest dollar. B). day and to the closest penny. C). day and to the closest dollar. D). entire month and to the closest penny. Question 18 Fernandez Corporation bought a truck toward the start of 2012 for $54,180. The truck is evaluated to have a rescue estimation of $2,580 and a helpful existence of 206,400 miles. It was traveled 29,670 miles in 2012 and 39,990 miles in 2013. Figure devaluation cost for 2012 and 2013. Question 19 Lockhard Company bought apparatus on January 1, 2012, for $79,200. The apparatus is assessed to have a rescue estimation of $7,920 after a helpful existence of 8 years. (a) Compute 2012 deterioration cost utilizing the twofold declining balance technique. (b) Compute 2012 devaluation cost utilizing the twofold declining balance strategy expecting the apparatus was bought on October 1, 2012. Question 20 Jurassic Company claims apparatus that cost $1,145,700 and has aggregated devaluation of $458,280. The normal future net incomes from the utilization of the benefit are relied upon to be $636,500. The reasonable estimation of the gear is $509,200. Set up the diary passage, assuming any, to record the disability misfortune. Question 21 Everly Corporation secures a coal mineshaft at an expense of $501,600. Impalpable improvement costs complete $125,400. After extraction has happened, Everly should reestablish the property (assessed reasonable estimation of the commitment is $100,320), after which it tends to be sold for $200,640. Everly appraises that 5,016 tons of coal can be extricated. In the event that 878 tons are separated the primary year, set up the diary section to record consumption. Question 22 Francis Corporation bought a benefit at an expense of $58,200 on March 1, 2012. The benefit has a helpful existence of 8 years and a rescue estimation of $5,820. For charge purposes, the MACRS class life is 5 years. Figure charge devaluation for every year 2012â€2017. Question 23 Celine Dion Corporation buys a patent from Salmon Company on January 1, 2012, for $50,820. The patent has a staying legitimate existence of 16 years. Celine Dion feels the patent will be helpful for a long time. Plan Celine Dion’s diary sections to record the acquisition of the patent and 2012 amortization. Question 24 Karen Austin Corporation has promoted programming expenses of $768,500, and deals of this item the primary year totaled $390,630. Karen Austin envisions procuring $911,470 in extra future incomes from this item, which is evaluated to have a financial existence of 4 years. Register the measure of programming cost amortization for the main year. (a) Compute the measure of programming cost amortization for the principal year utilizing the percent of income approach. (b) Compute the measure of programming cost amortization for the primary year utilizing the straight-line approach. Question 25 Jeff Beck is a rancher who possesses land which verges on the option to proceed of the Northern Railroad. On August 10, 2012, because of the conceded carelessness of the Railroad, roughage on the homestead was determined to fire and consumed. Beck had a debate with the Railroad for quite a while concerning the responsibility for little package of land. The delegate of the Railroad has offered to dole out any rights which the Railroad may have in the land to Beck in return for an arrival of his entitlement to repayment for the misfortune he has supported from the fire. Beck seems slanted to acknowledge the Railroad’s offer. The Railroad’s 2012 budget summaries ought to incorporate the accompanying identified with the episode: A). acknowledgment of a misfortune as it were. B). formation of an obligation as it were. C). divulgence in note structure as it were. D). acknowledgment of a misfortune and formation of an obligation for the estimation of the land. Question 26 Roley Corporation utilizes an intermittent stock framework and the gross technique for representing buy limits. On July 1, Roley bought $66,000 of stock, terms 2/10, n/30, FOB delivering point. Roley paid cargo expenses of $1,210. On July 3, Roley returned harmed merchandise and got credit of $6,600. On July 10, Roley paid for the products. Set up all important diary passages for Roley. Question 27 Takemoto Corporation obtained $93,000 on November 1, 2012, by marking a $95,093, 3-month, zero-enthusiasm bearing note. Get ready Takemoto’s November 1, 2012, section; the December 31, 2012, yearly changing passage; and the February 1, 2013, passage. (For different charge/credit en attempts, list sums from biggest to littlest, for example 10, 8, 6. Round all responses to 0 decimal spots, for example 11,150.) Question 28 Whiteside Corporation issues $629,000 of 9% bonds, due in 14 years, with intrigue payable semiannually. At the hour of issue, the yearly market rate for such securities is 10%. Process the issue cost of the bonds.(Use the current worth tables in the content. Question 29 Indiana Jones Company goes into a 6-year rent of hardware on January 1, 2012, which requires 6 yearly installments of $37,560 each, starting January 1, 2012. What's more, the resident ensures a remaining estimation of $20,870 at rent end. The hardware has a helpful existence of 6 years. Expect that for Lost Ark Company, the lessor, collectibility is sensibly unsurprising, there are no significant vulnerabilities concerning costs, and the conveying measure of the apparatus is $191,722. Plan Lost Ark’s January 1, 2012, diary passages. Question 30 On January 1, 2012, Irwin Animation offered a truck to Peete Finance for $26,050 and promptly rented it back. The truck was carried on Irwin’s books at $20,800. The term of the rent is 5 years, and title moves to Irwin at rent end. The rent requires five equivalent rental installments of $7,048 toward the finish of every year. The proper pace of intrigue is 11%, and the truck has a helpful existence of 5 years with no rescue esteem. Get ready Irwin’s 2012 diary passages.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Key Factors of Program Evaluation an Example of the Topic Science and Technology Essays by

Key Factors of Program Evaluation Assessment is a procedure that is viewed as basic particularly to gatherings or associations that are overseeing a task or program. It decides the value of the venture, just as evaluates whether the objectives of the program are being met (Trochim, 2006). Aftereffects of assessment are utilized as reason for enhancements for the individuals associated with the program so as to pick up benefits and limit misfortune (Love, 1991). Accordingly, factors that may influence the program assessment ought to be mulled over. Need paper test on Key Factors of Program Evaluation point? We will compose a custom article test explicitly for you Continue There are a few factors that may influence the assessment of the program. One of them is the demeanor towards assessment. In case of an outside assessment, apathy with respect to respondents may influence that outcomes which may not be of any assistance to the association. It might even prompt stagnation instead of progress, as detachment could mean absence of earnestness and blurred truth (Kozak et al, 2006). Another factor is the financing wellspring of a program assessment. Tremendously supported assessments are regularly better than those finished with lesser store available to the associations. With additional in financial terms, all things required for a productive program assessment might be effectively gotten. Thusly, a subsidizing source which isn't monetarily solid in all angles or an association under exacting spending plan may not accomplish results that a monetarily steady assessment may accomplish (Kozak et al, 2006). The third factor is methodological troubles. Things like failure to decipher information, low reaction rate, and trouble in obtaining contact data are under this heading. It must be stressed that even with willing respondents for assessment; results which are not appropriately deciphered are as yet considered as an exercise in futility. Then again, even with truly fit outcome translators, low turn-out of reactions will render the assessment as not so much feasible (Kozak et al, 2006). The last key factor in program assessment is the motivating force or prize. Through the possibility of a decent return of speculation, particularly in an inside program assessment setting, respondents may readily experience assessment. With the information on it being of incredible assistance to the improvement of the undertaking or program and accomplishment of the proposed objectives, reaction rates may increment. In that capacity, the assessment will be a triumph with positive coordinated effort between assessment experts and respondents (Kozak et. al., 2006). It might then be said that few variables may influence a program assessment from numerous points of view. These variables may lead either to an unpleasant consummation or a productive achievement. With the previous, improvement plans might be put to a requirement; while with the last mentioned, it might be sought after and the ultimate objectives might be met. References Kozak, R., Morford, S., Suvedi, M. (2006). Components Affecting Program Evaluation Behaviors of Natural Resource Extension Practitioners-Motivation and Capacity Building. Diary of Extension, 44. Love, A.J. (1991). Inside Evaluation: Building Organizations from Within. California: SAGE Trochim, M.K. (2006). Prologue to Evaluation. Web Center for Research Methods.

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Impact Of Financial Accessibility On Smes Performance Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

Department of Statistics, Malaysia and Bank Negara Malaysia stated that only 13.4% of SMEs sought for banking institutions loans. Although Government SMEs Annual Report 2009/10 declared that up to 78% of approval rate was achieved in SMEs financing through banking institutions in Year 2009, it doesnt show a whole picture of SMEs financing accessibility in Malaysia. It is argued that various financing constraints imposed by banks limit the opportunities; hence, this research seeks to obtain insight into demand-side issues (e.g. firm size, business pervious performance) in financial inaccessibility faced by SMEs in Malaysia. Additionally, this research will further evaluate the impact of financial inaccessibility on SMEs performance. Government provides various financial supports in assisting SMEs as SMEs is the one of the main agent of national growth. Thus, this paper also aims to access the effectiveness of government financial support towards SMEs performance. Research Title: The Impact of Financial Accessibility on SMEs Performance Research Question: How does Financial Inaccessibility affecting SMEs Performance? Research Objectives: To examine the indicators of business performance measurement of SMEs To access the constraints faced by SMEs in accessing external sources of finance To evaluate how financial constraints imposed by banks affect SMEs performance To determine the successfulness of government programs in supporting SMEs financing accessibility and business performance To recommend SMEs on possible ways to obtain financing support in order to improve business performance INTRODUCTION SMEs have been recognized as the backbone of the economy as they are the core contributor of employment and growth. In Malaysia, approximate 99% of total business establishments are accounted by SMEs (NSDC, 2010). SMEs are defined based on two criteria: Total sales turnover per annum and Number of full-time employees employed by the company. It is further interpreted according to sectors, where in manufacturing sectors, the sales revenue of less than RM25million or full-time employee of less than 150; whilst in services and other sectors, sales revenue of less than RM5million or full-time employees of less than 50 will be classified as SMEs (NSDC, 2010). Albeit there is a large segment of research literature contributed to the advancement of knowledge from the perspective of SMEs business performance (Jane Beamish, 2001; Sousa et al., 2006) and financial accessibility (Beck Demirguc-Kunt, 2006; Irwin Scott, 2010), most of the findings are inconclusive. Besides that, only limited studies examined the relationship between financial accessibility and business performance in Malaysia, thus this paper aims to contribute to the existing pool of knowledge through demonstrating the impact of financial accessibility on SMEs performance in Malaysia. BUSINESS PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT In the 1980s and 1990s, the development of performance measurement had successfully migrated from a merely financial indicator towards more integrative dimensions (Ampuero et al., 1998). Despite of the evolution of non-financial performance measurement, financial performance measurement remains the fundamental tool, especially in SMEs (Kellen, 2003). Reviewing existing literature (Ahmed, 2004; Sousa et al., 2006; Chavan, 2009), its suggested that a combination use of financial and non-financial performance measures may assist the owners in collecting the whole picture throughout the organization (Azofra, Prieto Alicia, 2003). Hence, Balanced Scorecard approach will be implemented in this study in measuring business performance. It measures both financial and non-financial performance derived from the organizations vision and strategy (Chavan, 2009), including financial, customer, internal processes and, learning and growth needs. Kaplan Norton (1996a) the founder of Balanced Score card approach, asserted that this model is a truly strategic control system that puts strategy and vision at the centre (Atkinson, 2006). Figure 1: The Balanced Scorecard approach Source: Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system by Kaplan, R.S. and Norton, D.P. (1996a); cited in Strategy implementation: a role for the balanced scorecard? by Atkinson H., 2006. SOURCES OF FINANCE According to Cosh Hughes (2000), majority SMEs experienced rapid growth rates and funding shortages during their embryonic years (cited in Junjie et al., 2008). During this period, most of the entrepreneurs choose to adopt pecking order financing preferences, where they prefer to use internal rather than external finance and choose debt rather than equity (Junjie et al., 2008; Irwin Scott, 2010). Therefore it is not a surprise when Beck Demirguc-Kunt (2006) found that SMEs have smaller share of their investments with formal external sources of finance. Beck Demirguc-Kunt (2006) further evaluated that this phenomenon is more significant in developing countries as a result of market failure and low involvement of banks. Moreover, an empirical evidence by Junjie et al. (2008) stressed that throughout the business cycle, over 65% of entrepreneurs relied on internal sources at the start-up phase; as business expand, about 80% keen on borrowing from the debt market, whilst less than 2% approach equity sources as first choice. In fact, majority of the SMEs concerned on paying higher interest rates or providing higher securities (Weiss, 2008), other than reluctant to give up their independence and control, therefore forced to bear higher agency costs due to the expropriate wealth from lenders (Berger Udell, 1998; Jordan et al., 1998, cited in Junjie et al., 2008). FINANCIAL INACCESSIBILITY Figure 2: Sources of Financing for SMEs in Malaysia Source: Department of Statistics, Malaysia and Bank Negara Malaysia [cited in Ooi, 2010]. Figure 3 showed that only 13.4% of Malaysia SMEs sought for loans from banking institutions. However, according to Holmes et al. (1994) [cited in Rozali et al., 2006] this phenomenon is because of the limited debt funding opportunities for SMEs, which further interpreted by Kotey (1999) stating that the financing constraints are mainly imposed by banks (cited in Irwin Scott, 2010). 4.1 FACTOR ONE: FIRM SIZE Junjie et al. (2008) indicated that most of the problems related to financing arise predominantly in SMEs. This statement is proved by other researchers whom reported that there is a direct relationship between firm size and financing accessibility (Berry et al., 2003; Beck, Asli Maksimovic, 2005; Beck Demirguc-Kunt, 2006; North et al., 2008; Torre et al., 2010). This behavior is criticized by Binks et al. (2006) as the finance gap leads to competitiveness disadvantage and failure in exploiting business opportunity. In contrast, Berry et al. (2003) interpreted from banks position that increases in firm size allows greater diversification of risks, which provide higher safeguards toward banks. 4.2 FACTOR TWO: CAPITAL ASSETS OWNED Today, SMEs face with various financing constraints from banks (Kotey, 1999; cited in Irwin Scott, 2010), yet banks remain the prime source of external SMEs finance (Keasey Watson, 1994, cited in Irwin Scott, 2010; Cosh Hughes, 2000, cited in Junjie et al., 2008; Fraser, 2006). Banks adopted different lending approaches, some banks tend to look forward to future earnings from the repayment of the loan and interests, known as going-concern approach; in contrast some banks preferred gone-concern approach which tend to have security-based lending approach (Berry et al., 2003). Generally, banks prefer security-based lending approach, where the decision standard is much depends on the collateral provided by the assets (Jordan et al., 1998; cited in Junjie et al., 2008). Hence, in general terms, industries with high tangible asset holdings (e.g. manufacturing-based industry) are expected to access to greater finance compare with sectors associated with intangible assets (e.g. service-b ased industry) (Joensen McMahon, 2005; Junjie et al., 2008). 4.3 FACTOR THREE: PREVIOUS PERFROMANCE Van der Wijst Thuriks research (1993) showed that debt ratio is highly affected by the previous business performance (cited in Joensen McMahon, 2005). This opinion is further supported by North et al. (2008) verifying that previous trading record and collateral evidence play more important roles than the presentation of business plans and financial projections. However nowadays, banks emphasized more on future economic conditions instead of previous performance and historical values (Weiss, 2008). This turning point has become more significant especially after the Economic Crisis, as according to Weiss (2008) a slowdown or shrinking in the economy not only deduce the number of profitable investments, but also increase the risks of borrowings. 4.4 FACOTR FOUR: INFORMATION ASYMMETRY In particular, several existing studies drew the relationship between banks and SMEs on information asymmetry problems (Lean Tucker, 2000; cited in North et al., 2008). On the banks viewpoints, this perceived constraint is mainly caused by lack of historical performance data and the exacerbated judgments as entrepreneurs possess a considerable informational advantage about their businesses; besides the unwillingness to disclose full information of the business plans to avoid exploitation by others (North et al., 2008). This behavior may lead to the rejection of short-term and long-term loan application from banks, which might trouble SMEs future development and growth (Keasey Watson, 1994; cited in Irwin Scott, 2010). On the other hand, as SMEs are not required statutory on audited financial statements (Junjie et al., 2008), it is hard for them to convey quality and build up reputation in overcoming the information opacity surrounding their activities (Berger Udell, 1998). This s ituation is particularly undermines lending from banks which always require transparent information (Torre et al. , 2010). AUTHOR(s) FINDINGS RELATIONSHIPS between FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY and BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Cressy (1996) The study demonstrated that the true determinant of survival is human capital and the correlation between financial capital and survival is spurious. Negative Junjie, Jining Catherine (2008) The research showed that majority SMEs experienced rapid growth rates and funding shortages during their embryonic years. Negative Schiffer Weder (2001) The literature summarized that Financing obstacle is the most important summary obstacle to growth. Positive Beck, Asli Maksimovic (2005) The study found that the failure in accessing long-term loans is not significantly correlated with business performance. Negative North, Baldock, Ekanem, Deakins, Whittam Wyper (2008) The survey indicated that almost one third of the respondents unable to go ahead with the proposed projects in any form as a result of financial inaccessibility. Positive Irwin Scott (2010) The research highlighted that majority of the entrepreneurs give up their business due to the difficulties in raising finance. PositiveTable 1: The relationship between financial accessibility and business performance from existing literature With the existing literature in examining the relationship between financial accessibility and business performance, the following hypotheses are developed. H1: There is no association between financial inaccessibility and SMEs business performance. H2: There is an association between financial inaccessibility and SMEs business performance. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES Tracing back the history of large companies, it is not difficult to found that majority of them started up as SMEs before achieving today successes. Hence, SMEs Masterplan has been drafted to support the New Economic Model and the Tenth Malaysia Plan in the next 10 years (2011-2020) (NSDC, 2010). Due to the low SMEs contribution to national GDP (31%) compared with other countries, Malaysia government launched out SME Annual Report 2009/10 themed Transformation to the New Economic Model, aimed to achieve the quantum leap in GDP growth (NSDC, 2010). Numerous programs and schemes are launched with the objective to foster the SMEs development (Abdullah, 1999); one of them is financial and credit assistance. The approval rate for SMEs financing via banking institutions was up to 78% in 2009 (RM50.9 billion to 140,141 SME accounts), and rose further to 80% in the first half of 2010 (NSDC, 2010). Meanwhile, incremental on annual GDP contributed by SMEs by 40% (NSDC, 2010) resulting government viewed that the up-going trend as the outcome of their comprehensive policies. However, according to Abdullah (1999), a large proportion of respondents did not gain access to the government support programs, whilst majority of those who gained the support did not enjoy the assistance. Thus, Abdullah stressed that although government stated its commitment and interests in SMEs programs, the intention does not turn into effective action. With the background information, hypotheses are developed to access the effectiveness and successfulness of government financial policies in assisting SMEs growth. H3: There is no association between government financial programs and SMEs performance. H4: There is an association between government financial programs and SMEs performance. PROJECT STRATEGY Before evaluating the research paper, secondary data document review is conducted with the aim to obtain a background and history of the research topic The impact of financial accessibility on SMEs performance. From the review, it is found that majority of the SMEs faced financial accessibility problems, for instance Australia (Johnsen McMahon, 2005), UK (Beck Demirguc-Kunt, 2006), Scottish (North et a;., 2008), China (Junjie et al., 2008), etc. The approach to this research involved gathering data via self-administered questionnaire survey, enabling the researcher to describe and measure the phenomena at a point of time and to determine the causality to make if-then statements. Three types of measurement scales are used in the questionnaire, including nominal, ordinal and scale. Non-probability convenience and quota sampling are implemented due to the time and cost restrictions. The questionnaire which consisted of five main sections: Personal details, Company background, Business performance measurement, Financial accessibility, and Government financial initiatives, is distributed to targeted respondents, whom are entrepreneurs/managers of 150 SMEs in two states of Malaysia through mail or personal. The limited geographical areas are Penang and Perak, representing industrialized area (Penang) and non-industrialized area (Perak) in Malaysia, with the purpose to obtain comparative samples. During the stage of questionnaire d esign, pre-test study will be conducted and the feedback are revise with the aim to achieve reliability and validity on the final version of questionnaire. The data collected will be analyzed using the SPSS software. Research ethics is defined as the application of moral rules and professional codes in collection, analysis, reporting and publication of information about research subjects (Dictionary of Sociology, 1998). The respondents will be informed that the questionnaire survey is under voluntary nature of participation. A written consent is not always necessary, for example, in questionnaire surveys, completing and returning the questionnaire form to the researcher can itself be interpreted as implied consent to participate (Finnish Social Science Data Archive, 2008). Yet the researcher has the responsible in ensuring the respondents are under comprehension of consent when involving in questionnaire survey. As it is under voluntary basis, the respondents have the rights to withdraw from the study anytime if the feel discomfort or stress in answering the questions. Indeed the primary data collection in bulk is with minimal sensitiveness and the intent of characterizing populations instead of individual respondents (Seltzer, 2003); some of the respondents worry that the confidential data provided will be access by third parties. As a researcher, I will treat the information given as strictly confidential and ensure that the personal privacy will be maintained. The data will be collected under anonymity basis, personal details such as personal identity numbers, names, address and telephone numbers are not required. These ethics are believed will help in smoothen the data collection process. In conclusion, other than a well-designed questionnaire, attitude and ethics when approaching the respondents play important roles.

Sunday, May 17, 2020

My Vacation At Wheeling W. Virginia And We Rent A Massive...

Every few years my family takes a trip to Oglebay Park in Wheeling W. Virginia and we rent a massive cabin that sleep about ___ people. The special thing about this trip is that my mother s entire side of the family goes on this vacation. Now everyone had their favorite things to do on the trip - from cooking and eating meals together, to visiting one of the indoor or outdoor pools, to fishing, playing golf, or hiking the mountain paths. However, my favorite activity is playing cards as often as possible. The first time we went to Oglebay Park wasn’t always a good time at the table because that was when I was taught. When I played the first hand, I was my father’s partner. For those of you who don’t know, there are a few things that you seldom, make that never - according to my father - do when playing euchre. One of them is trumping your partner’s ace when it is already taking the point! Well, after I did that for the third time unnecessarily, he said - a nd I quote (both his words and his tone), â€Å"Trent! How can somebody so smart, be so so (pause) stinking STUPID. Well, regardless of this traumatic experience which you can tell (soft sad voice) has scarred me for life, I actually do enjoy playing cards. In fact, I enjoy it so much I did some homework on cards in general and thought I would take a few minutes and share some of what I discovered. While the average person might not realize how important cards are they affect our lives more than we can imagine. Because when youShow MoreRelatedMarketing Mistakes and Successes175322 Words   |  702 Pagesdecades. I hope you will find this new edition a worthy successor to earlier editions. I think this may even be my best book. The new Google and Starbucks cases should arouse keen student interest, and may even inspire another generation of entrepreneurs. A fair number of the older cases have faced significant changes in the last few years, for better or for worse, and these we have captured to add to learning insights. After so many years of investigating mistakes, and more recently successes

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Are Women Portrayed in the Media - 1366 Words

#20 Professor: Guarracino English 1101-135 10 April 2012 Are Women portrayed in the media? The highlight on the latter raises a larger question about the radicalized sexual images of women today. It is most likely the society that is bombarded by the media’s usage of advertisements, television, billboards, magazines and internet. We are surrounded by the images that most people don’t have. Reality shows and entertainment are emulated and are the common choices for teens today. They may seem like harmless amusing entertainment but take a closer look, and you’ll see that the way women are portrayed is far from the truth. This may seems to be a successful marketing tool for several sources but its ways of showing malicious actions.†¦show more content†¦In a world where there are differences even within a race, reality show producers seem to find women who are loud and obnoxious. It is not the image of the strong, women who has pride in herself. It is all women who are just showing off for entertainment’s sake. Every day the world is braine d washed by the media’s usage of television reality shows. A prime example of this negative stereotype was a full display on VH1’s â€Å"Flavor of Love.† On this show, Flavor Flav gets to pick from multitude of ghetto fabulous women. Such as â€Å"New York† aka Tiffany Pollard who was found desperate for fame and began to make her show. Although you would think that she would consider herself a young successful woman, she is portrayed. New York is made to seem as an unintelligent, vulgar, rude, and overtly sexual woman. These are stereotypes of what people believe to be true about young women. It is known to people that a woman is somebody who has excess sexuality spilling out all over the place. This is what they put on television to have women to mimic and emulate. For women to be portrayed in this way has many consequences, for images that they view in everyday life shape the way they think. Viewing television and mostly reality show’s has a wom en being portrayed in an overtly sexual manner, once may not have serious effect on a person but does indeed shape a person’s mind to view women with much less respect than they would fancy. Unfortunately, media hasShow MoreRelatedHow Are Women Portrayed in the Media?700 Words   |  3 PagesQ1. How are women portrayed in the New Zealand media? -Consider Bonds advert -Jane Jetson info, Source 19 -NZ Stats/ examples †What is generic is replaceable. With youth and beauty, then the working woman is visible, but insecure, made to feel her qualities are not unique. But, without them, she is invisible-she falls literally ‘out of the picture’†-Beauty Myth Not only women but all people are constantly pigeonholed into categories within the media, people are categorized and prejudicedRead MoreHow Women Are Portrayed in Media6769 Words   |  28 PagesCommon female stereotypes found in the media have a powerful influence over how society views women and how women view themselves. What is the media portrayal of women today and how does this impact how young girls perceive themselves? With programs such as The Bachelor and Flavor of Love showing a dozen women competing for the attention of one man, often using their sexuality, magazine ads displaying a half-naked female body to sell a fragrance or cosmetic product, and television commercials highlightingRead MoreHow Women are Portrayed in the Mass Media Skinny. Sexy. Obedient. Ditzy. Perfect.800 Words   |  4 PagesHow Women are Portrayed in the Mass Media Skinny. Sexy. Obedient. Ditzy. Perfect. Submissive. This is how women are portrayed is this how women really are? Mass media is always sending out messages of how women should act, look, and think. Mass media portrays women in many fictitious ways. Women are frequently seen as sexual objects in order to sell things, attract others, for entertainment and a variety of other things. Many female celebrities such as models, actors, and singers are very slimRead MoreOnly 5% of women in the United States naturally posses the body type portrayed in the media.( )1100 Words   |  5 PagesOnly 5% of women in the United States naturally posses the body type portrayed in the media.( ) Everyday young women and teens are surrounded by media, whether its magazines, television, radio, or newspapers. The media has a big impact on our every day lives and can take a negative toll. Teens and young women look up to the women that they see and hear about in media. They see different haircuts, outfits, and different body types that influence them, and the people in charge of media know this.Read MoreThe Portrayal Of Women During The Arab World1651 Words   |  7 PagesThe portrayal of women in the media is a global phenomenon that many nations, countries and cultures struggle to find equality in the portrayal of gender throughout media systems. The Middle East and the Arab World is no exception to this phenomenon, recognizing and contributing to the negatively portrayed images of Arab women represented in the global mass media. For my research paper, I chose to focus on how women in the Arab World are breaking boundaries of these negative stereotypical imagesRead MoreGender Stereotypes In Mulan1673 Words   |  7 PagesThe way that groups are represented in the media often has a significant impact on how these groups are viewed in reality. The media is very powerful when it comes to raising awareness about certain groups, which is important to understand. What the media portrays is often what is perceived. Instead of using the media to strengthen stereotypes among people, the media should be used to stop stereotyping once and for all. While gender stereotypes do unfortunately exist, representations of gender inRead MoreThe Stereotypes Of African American Females Essay1575 Words   |  7 Pagesand by our parents. Whether they are positive or negative, African American females have to deal with these on a daily basis. Stereotypes often influence the way people view themselves and the way others view them. These are represented in American media, such as commercials and other advertisements. Reflection on Experience After watching one hundred commercials, I found that African American females are represented in 23% of the advertisements, which is a low frequency. According to the UnitedRead MoreTodays Unrealistic Body Expectations1311 Words   |  5 PagesModern society portrays good looking men to have broad shoulders, toned arms, six-pack abs, and a small waist while good looking women are viewed to have the characteristics of being slim and fit, having a small waist, lean hips, and perfect skin complexion. As a result, many people are affected by our own societys portrayals of good looking men and women that they feel pressured into doing whatever it takes and going through extreme measures, most of the time, spending countless hours in the gymRead MoreFeminism And Its Impact On Women s Rights958 Words   |  4 Pagesthey could be. Feminism in refer to a collection of movements and opinions that share a common goal including to define, create, and achieve equal rights for women in social, economic, cultural and political dimensions (Berger, 2013). Feminist movements have fought for women’s rights including suffrage rights, right for fair wage, right to work, hold a public office, own property, education, equal rights in marriages among other rights (Ryan, 2013). The journey to achieve these rights has not beenRead MoreCertain Groups Being Incorrectly Portrayed in Media767 Words   |  3 PagesIn order to understand the current issue involving certain groups being incorrectly portrayed in media, it is important to first understand exactly what mass media is. There are a variety of technical definitions for the term â€Å"mass media.† According to Britannica, â€Å"Media is used to pass on information to many people in a society† (â€Å"Media†). Merriam-Wenster claims media is a â€Å"mean of communication that is designed to reach the mass of the people† (â€Å"Mass Medium†). Recently, a spike of innovations has

Nymphs Reply free essay sample

In the two poems, The Passionate Shepherd to His Love and The Nymphs Reply, shows love in different ways. These differences are showed mostly through the tone and point of view. In The Passionate Shepherd to His Love the tone of the writer was shown as passionate, committed and happy. The shepherds swains shall dance and sing / For thy delight each May morning / If these delights thy mind may move, / Then live with me and be my love(Marlowe 21-24). In this poem, the tone of the Shepherd was filled with happy and positive emotions.The Shepherds tone was pappy because he was expressing his feelings of his love to the Nymph that he Just wanted to sing, dance, and enjoy the rest of his life with her. He also added that he was looking towards a brighter future with the Nymph by showing her all the ways why she should come live with him. We will write a custom essay sample on Nymphs Reply or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Nymph Reply to the Shepherd was very negative and for that the tone was shown as a realistic and gloomy. For instance she replied to the Shepherd by saying his offers will fade and not stay forever. The gowns, thy shoes, thy bed of roses J The cap, thy circle, and thy posies J Soon break, non wither, soon forgotten/ in folly ripe, in reason rotten (Raleigh 13-16). Reading both of the poems showed that this poem was more real and seemed to question would he actually do all those things for her? I think that the reason for that is that the Shepherd and the Nymph had different point of views which made the Shepherds tone more ideal and happy and the Nymphs tone was realistic and gloomy. In these two poems, each speaker wanted to convince you with his point of view.In The Passionate Shepherd to His Love, the Shepherd wanted to convince the Nymph to come and live with him in the country, in which he offered his love and the gifts nature would give her, Come live with me and be my lov e(Marlowe 1). The Nymph Reply to the Shepherd was that she doubted his offers and didnt think that they were completely true because most of them will fade with time. These pretty pleasures might me move(Raleigh 3). I support the Nymphs reason to doubt the Shepherd offers, because she was realistic and reasonable whereas the Shepherds poem seemed less reasonable and more of a dream.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Intercultural Communication in Phoenix Management Services Essay Example

Intercultural Communication in Phoenix Management Services Essay Intercultural communication is known as the base for international business. This paper will analyze intercultural communication focusing on Phoenix Management Services which is an organization with multicultural people. I think I can bring strategies to increase their intercultural communication skills so that they can intermingle with other individuals from any part of the world. Literature Review I will begin by examining the history of intercultural communication and examine some of the theories by researchers. The study of intercultural communication was initiated by Edward Hall and others followed suit in the 1950’s. Hall is regarded as the founder of intercultural communication which he initiated in 1951, when he started working at the Foreign Service Institute. The Foreign Service Institute was then in charge of handling cultural information in the United States. Intercultural communication did not have any resources for use in the 1960’s (Condon Yousef, 1975). It is in the 1970’s that sources, journals and societies specializing in intercultural communication emerged. Hall looked at communication using the concept of low and high context messages depending on the importance of the context of the message. In a low context message the information in the message is explicit with no unspoken or implied information. While in the high context message most of the meaning is understood and passed on by the circumstances, relationships and non-verbal messages (Hall, 1976, Habke Sept, 1993). We will write a custom essay sample on Intercultural Communication in Phoenix Management Services specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Intercultural Communication in Phoenix Management Services specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Intercultural Communication in Phoenix Management Services specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In the low context cultures, everything is communicated by explicit information while in a high context culture communication depends on the subtleness and circumstances. This theory by Hall lowers the chances of causing offense in intercultural communication for if one has a view of a culture; they are able to take measures to adjust to another culture thus improving the chances of precise communication (Hall, 1976) Other researchers who have contributed to the intercultural communication theory are William Gudykunst and Young Yum Kim. As a navy specialist deployed in Japan, Gudykunst came up with he theory on intercultural communication while training others. Kim’s interest in communication aspects of the cultural adjustments of immigrants stems from growing up in Korea and immigrating to the United States. The two focus mainly on theoretical issues on intercultural communication. They think to understand the process of intercultural communication and improve on it effectiveness, there is a need for conceptual tools to understand what is happening (Gudykunst Kim, 1997). In their theory they clearly show that all communication is in some sense intercultural. For instance the difference between one interacting with a colleague at work who shares their ethnicity and language, and their interaction with a visiting person who shares neither is not a qualitative difference, but merely a question of the degree of strangeness. This theoretical admission is important because Gudykunst and Kim downgrade ethnicity by paving the way for a distinct understanding of culture operating at every level. Gudykunst and Kim propose four categories of culture-relation influences on the communication process. There are the cultural influences which include rules, norms and values. They classify norms and rules as sets of expected behavior for particular situations (Gudykunst Kim, 1997). Socio-cultural influences which also include norms, rules and values are keyed to social roles such as an employer or doctor and not to situations. Psycho-cultural influences are those gained by our personal experience and psychological makeup and not from our culture or society. Lastly, environmental influences relate to our expectations of behavior in a given physical environment. Gudykunst and Kim contend that high and low contexts are cultural influences while ethnocentrism and prejudice are potential psychocultural influences. They observe that though one tendency such as individualism may hold at a cultural level, any individual within that culture is free to prefer collectivism. The key strength to their theory is a new concern in to incorporate research by others and to free the individual. Ron Scollon and Suzanne Wong Scollon like Gudykunst and Kim, try to set out and apply a theoretical structure for intercultural communication. Nonetheless their goals are less ambitious. They therefore focus on interaction in formal professional context. The Scollon’s focal point is discourse systems which involve four elements; a group of ideological norms, distinct socialization processes, a regular set of discourse forms, and a set of suppositions about face interactions within the discourse system. Many systems they say cut across cultural divides. For Scollon and Wong Scollon, intercultural communication is better considered interdiscourse communication. They pay attention to describing different prominent discourse systems focusing on those used in professional communication. They reckon that if we appreciate the discourse systems used by other individuals we will converse with them well. (Scollon Wong Scollon, 1995) Analysis of Phoenix Management Services The organization I have chosen to examine is Phoenix Management Services (PMS) a property management company where I recently worked. Phoenix Management Services, Inc. was started in 1996 and so far it runs more than 25,000 units in the state of Florida. I would like to be involved with this company and improve their skills and find techniques and strategies to develop skills to interact with other cultures. While at PMS I learnt that understanding the cultural differences in a company can be the distinction between professional success and failures in meeting your goals. Exceptional intercultural communication skills are vital in today’s independent world. To improve business performing and competition one should be able to communicate freely with workmates that are representing different cultures. Daily at PMS we worked with people from different cultural backgrounds with accompanying challenges and opportunities. From my experience at PMS, if communication is healthy there is a rise in productivity and this enhances performance, originality and growth of the organization. Communication is multifaceted making it difficult to convey any message which lacks fundamental cultural connotations. Disparities in culture do have a great impact on business and social communications. By PMS applying intercultural communication skills at work it has greatly improved many interactions amongst employees. Recommendations to improve communication at Phoenix Management Services The culture in which people group up in determines how they express themselves and how they communicate with others. At work, cultural stereotypes can create tensions that lower job satisfaction and productivity. Both employee and employer benefit when they confront and move beyond their prejudices (Fantino, 2006). Discarding cultural prejudices is by no means easy and it takes time and strength of mind. I think the following strategies at PMS can help increase their intercultural communication skills in order for them to interact with other individuals from any part of the world. It is important to regard all employees as equals’ in spite of their different cultural origins, thus it better to focus on their capabilities other than their cultural origins. It is important to respect personal names, call people by the name they prefer to be called, learn how to pronounce each name correctly and also the correct order in which to say it. Turning fear into curiosity is essential. Instead of being suspicious of other groups ask yourself what all of you can learn if you went beyond your differences. Steer clear of negative statements about employees from one culture. The fact that a person made a particular mistake is not an indicator that all the people from that culture are incompetent. It is also important to have an open mind when dealing with employees from different cultures rather than distorting what you know about that culture based on a preconceived view of the world. It is not proper to believe that if an employee is unable perform a articular task properly that they will not be able to do a different one well. Given a chance to prove them, they may excel in something else. On the other hand if an employee is excellent at a given task it does not necessarily mean they will do well in the next task. In intercultural communication it is important that you avoid discriminating against employees from different cultural groups. Always ensure that they wor k under favorable conditions so that they do not feel like outcasts but feel that they are part of the company. Make sure that their colleagues are aware of the company’s policy against discrimination to avoid such incidents in the organization. It is good to use appropriate language when communicating with employees from different cultures. It pays to do a little research on what language use is satisfactory in their culture to avoid being offensive when communicating with them. It is important to avoid making judgments based on the accent, timing, and pace of a person’s speech. Different ways of speaking may strike you as haughty, subservient, or even insulting. Try to view people objectively, even if their accents seem peculiar and do not make fun of them or crack uncalled for jokes about them but instead choose to appreciate their diversity. Always endeavour to clarify cultural regulations to employees from different cultural backgrounds to make communication at the work place easy. This will enable these employees understand clearly what is expected of them while working in the organization. When communicating with employees from different cultures try to observe them and if there is something that is not clear do not be afraid to ask them so that they make it clear for better understanding. Do not be quick to pass judgment upon them. Take into account English barriers when working with employees who are not fluent in English considering that maybe it is not their first language. Take necessary measures to make sure that the message being passed across is understood as intended. Bear in mind the fact that it is strenuous to think and speak in two different languages all day long especially if English is not your first language. In intercultural communication nonverbal language is essential since it expresses emotions, objectives and responses. Go an extra mile and take on the responsibility of learning nonverbal sign of different cultures and consider the message they send. The concept of time is looked at in varied ways in some cultures, therefore it is very important to be conscious of this. When faced with a dilemma of an employee’s perception of time it is proper to discuss this and come up with a mutual understanding. It is also good to adjust interpersonal space requirements, if it is deemed necessary. Depending upon cultural practices, people may feel uncomfortable when someone is either standing close by or far off. Always take note of how close they stand when they approach and follow suit. It is also vital to pay attention to how people react when someone moves close. Finally in intercultural communication it is vital to be cautious regarding physical contact. Observe how individuals from different cultural backgrounds relate with people from their own culture. Take note also of how they interact with people in authority or of different social status. It is worth noting that excellent communication skills are useful in all intercultural communication. These skills are needed today in any working environment of an organization. It is the responsibility of those involved in the work place to enhance these intercultural communication skills. Conclusion In conclusion, the best thing about intercultural communication is the way it has acculturated our thinking of communication. Intercultural communication research took no real account of culture until the initiative by Edward Hall. Now there is a wealth of research interest in the matter. This is of theoretical benefit, because anything else may be significant in communication, and however displeasing the idea of culture may be, it remains true that culture influences communication and a full theory of communication must take account of it. More importantly, research in intercultural communication has led to increasing sophisticated investigations into cultures far removed from our own. This has resulted in greater awareness, and potentially greater understanding. Understanding is the key to good intercultural communication and this is a good thing. Special challenges to intercultural relationships include coping with differences, tending to stereotypes, dealing with apprehension, and having to give details about ourselves to strangers. References Condon, J. C. Yousef, F. S. (1975). An Introduction to Intercultural communication. New York: Macmillan Fantino, A. M. (2006). Cultures at Work: Intercultural Communication in the Canadian Workplace. Edmonton, Alberta: The Muttart Foundation Gudykunst, W. B. Kim, Y. Y. (1997). Communicating with Strangers: An Approach to Intercultural Communication (3rd ed. ) New York: McGraw-Hill Habke, A. , Sept, R. (1993) Distinguishing Group and Cultural Influences in Inter-Ethnic Conflict: A Diagnostic Model. Canadian Journal Communication. University of Calgary. Retrieved from http://hoshi. cic. sfu. ca/calj/cjc/BackIssues/18. 4/sept. html Hall, E. T. (1976). Beyond Culture. New York: Doubleday Scollon, R. W ong Scollon, S. (1995). Intercultural Communication: A Discourse Approach. Cambridge: Blackwell

Monday, March 16, 2020

An understanding of parental responsibility and child behaviour Essays

An understanding of parental responsibility and child behaviour Essays An understanding of parental responsibility and child behaviour Essay An understanding of parental responsibility and child behaviour Essay A definition of specifying parenting could include One who begets, gives birth to, or raisings and raises a kid ; a male parent or a female parent An ascendant ; a primogenitor. An being that produces or generates offspring. ( Dictionary.com, 2010 ) However, the function can include step-parent, adoptive parents, Foster parents, residential attention staff and biological parents. The Scottish Executive states Families come in all forms and sizes. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins can all play an of import function in fostering kids. While parents are responsible for caring for kids and guaranting their demands are met, the wider household can play a critical back uping function . ( Scots Executive, 2006, p. 1 ) Stephen Leverett quotes, Throughout the 20th century, the province increasingly and at the same time increased its degree of support to, and its surveillance of, parents and carers ( in conveying up kids ) . Much of this centred on guaranting kids were healthy, educated and safe. Although sometimes hard to interpret into pattern, the ethos of working together with parents was normally maintained even in state of affairss necessitating more interventionist attacks such as kid protection . Leverett continues to cite, This has continued into the 21st century when the expected results for kids from the position of the province have been more clearly defined and linked to the political and economic ends of the twenty-four hours ( for illustration, kids s rights, societal inclusion, regard and citizenship, competitory economic system. ( Leverett, 2008 pg 45 ) There has been a changeless shifting of the boundaries between the province, households and the voluntary and private sectors in footings of duties for instruction and child care, fiscal support for kids and the direction of kids s behavior. Consequently the outlooks and demands placed upon parents and carers are more clearly stated ( and open to scrutiny ) , widening their duty to advance wellbeing for their kids to the well-being of society ( Wasoff and Cunningham-Burley, 2005 ) . It can be stated that the ability of parents carry throughing these duties can be affected by their place in society such as socially, economically and culturally. In response to this, the authorities intervened by presenting interagency support enterprises such as Certain Start. This delivers services by conveying together household support, wellness, child care and early instruction. Certain Start covers a broad scope of programmes and marks those from a peculiar disadvantage group and local countries. Many bureaus work aboard bing services to back up parents. Parental duty is the term used to depict the legal position of the relationship between parent and kid. Leverett states It governs all the rights, responsibilities, powers and duties which by jurisprudence a parent of a kid has in relation to the kid. Peoples who have parental duty for a kid can take determinations about a scope of affairs such as instruction, faith and consent to medical intervention for the kid ( Leverett, 2008 pg 48 ) . Mothers who gave birth have parental duty, the same as married and single male parents who are named on the birth certification or obtained lawfully. Local governments, if agreed by the tribunal can get or portion parental duty, nevertheless, those with duty must hand in glove work together in doing determinations for the kid. The tribunal can be used to decide any dissensions, if necessary. Garrett high spots the extent to which New Labour societal policy, in his position, is really much a neoliberal undertaking. He identifies how welfare services promote specific material and cultural alteration , for illustration, the reshaping of policy and pattern encouraging and enabling people to take up places within a neoliberal work force . Garrett argues, the creative activity of new sites for capital accretion ( across wellness, instruction and societal attention ) and the transmutation of working patterns in the populace sector through mimicking traditional concern theoretical accounts ( puting results and handling parents as clients ) . ( Garrett, 2006, p.10 ) . The authorities intervened by promoting childcare scenes to be set up. Harmonizing to Ball and Vincent ( 2005, p. 558 ) , childcare is seen as holding the possible to convey adult females back into the work force, thereby increasing productiveness . Ironically many of these adult females are happening occupation s caring for other adult females s kids . Harmonizing to Blackburn ( 2004 ) , the twenty-four hours nursery market is spread outing and in 2003 was worth more than ?2.66 billion . The authorities responded to such unfavorable judgments through its Ten Year Strategy for Childcare ( HM Treasury, 2004 ) . Leverett states This showed more sensitiveness toward the place of parents and kids by doing the parental leave system more flexible and increasing the handiness of parttime free child care for 3-and 4-year-olds. However, parents of younger kids are still really much at the clemency of local market conditions which can change greatly ; some countries have a excess of child care in contrast to others which possess deficient sums to fulfill parental pick . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 54 ) . The authorities suggests that the success of households is, foremost and first, down to the committedness and behavior of those within them ( PMSU, 2007, p. 55 ) . Concern has been expressed by some observers at the manner unequal parenting has ever been seen as a moral issue closely linked, peculiarly within policies on societal exclusion, to poverty, low aspiration and antisocial behavior . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 56 ) . Policy literature normally cites the status of exclusion mentioning to a disjunction from mainstream values and aspirations, as opposed to marginalisation from material resources ( Gillies, 2006, p. 283 ) . It can be easy to overlook the broad diverseness of relationships and civilizations within which kids are embedded, but kids s ain histories reveal that they recognise the interconnection of the wider web of people who contribute in different ways to their well-being ( Leverett, 2008 pg 47 ) . People aid small kids like instructors, pa, the bank, the large sister, Mam, people, uncle, your grandmother, grandfather, infirmary, aunty ( Child quoted in Crowley and Vulliamy, 2003, p. 11 ) . Yet they besides reveal that kids hold differentiated positions of cardinal people in their webs, with parents ( peculiarly female parents ) and friends normally being the chief intimates ( Hill, 2005, p. 81 ) . To co-occur with above quotation mark Listening is of import for the kids who are being listened to, but besides for the grownups who are listening, whether at place or in an early old ages puting, at school, at a local authorization degree or in national authorities . ( National Children s Bureau, 2008, pg 1 ) . I may non hold address, but I have a voice I can give my sentiments, I can even reason . ( National Children s Bureau, 2007 ) Every Child Matters is underpinned by the importance of listening to kids and immature people. The ECM result Making a positive part should be a high precedence at every phase of planning and bringing if services are to be successful and gratifying . ( 4Children, 2009, pg 2 ) Leverett provinces parenting can non be understood without mention to each person s wider context, which in bend implies that parents are different from each other . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 58 ) . There are four theoretical constructs that parents may possess, frequently referred as capital . Leverett quotes: Economic This by and large relates to fiscal physical and material resources available to parents that can be utilised to advance kids s well-being and may affect obtaining a good instruction, good wellness or leisure for kids. Human This describes the accomplishments and cognition possessed by people normally associated with instruction or work. Human capital can besides mention to accomplishments and cognition acquired at the degree of the person . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 59 ) . A good manner to mensurate human capital is to analyze whether the consequences have increased wealth or productiveness. Social Coleman ( 1991, 1997 ) identifies societal capital as a resource that can be generated and employed within the household through parent-child dealingss and exterior of the household through relationships within the local community. Social capital is considered of import for some parents who wish to develop their kids s human capital and educational accomplishment . Cultural Bourdieu s construct of cultural capital goes some manner to conveying together these different theories. As we have seen, societal capital is cognizing who can assist parents accomplish their ends to raise kids ; in contrast, cultural capital is cognizing how to utilize these assets and other qualities to accomplish ends ( St Clair, 2005 ) The capitals are really much interrelated, one time one of the capitals has been acquired, you are really likely to get the other signifiers of capitals. Leverett provinces, Human and societal capital are constructs that have been interpreted as good to society, every bit good as persons, and hence have been influential in the design of kids s services and the function and working relationships of practicians. Economic, homo, societal and cultural capital are constructs that enable us to understand resources unevenly possessed by parents and unevenly provided by rearing support . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 65 ) Coleman ( 1991, 1997 pg 59 ) identifies societal capital as a resource that can be generated and employed within the household through parent-child dealingss and exterior of the household through relationships within the local community. Social capital is considered of import for some parents who wish to develop their kids s human capital and educational accomplishment. Where you live and whom you know the societal capital you can pull on aid to specify who you are and therefore to find your destiny ( Putnam, 1994, p. 14 ) . Three constituents of societal capital have been identified ( Woolcock, 2001 ) . Bonding societal capital, such as within households, helps make a sense of belonging and understanding . The importance of household interconnection and resource sharing is apparent in a survey by Bayat ( 2007 ) of households with autistic kids. It suggests that hardship can advance adhering between household members which in bend can construct resiliency ( Leverett, 2008 pg 60 ) : My boy s autism has made our household life tougher, emotionally and financially. Each member has to give extra clip and attempt to assist him, and larn how to populate peacefully in such environment. Through working together, we all learned how to assist my boy together. In some sense, this besides makes our household closer, because an person can non manage the stamina entirely. ( Mother quoted in Bayat, 2007, p. 709 ) Children s services as a consequence are now much better positioned to measure parents reasonably without favoritism linked to factors such as age, gender, wellness position, societal category or cultural background. It is besides recognised that the capacity of parents can be enhanced or undermined by factors and experiences, sometimes within their control sometimes non, located in household and wider societal webs or created by the cultural, societal, political and economic environment . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 66 ) . To associate this statement, a good illustration to back up parents is utilizing services such as Certain Start. However, Quinton ( 2004, p. 181 ) argues that formal services should see themselves as portion of the ecology of parenting: inter-agency working demands to be portion of an attempt to understand the whole of rearing ecology non merely a desire to see bureaus work together better . This can exemplify with province instruction, even though it is expensive for parents in footings of vesture, for illustration, it can still hold a negative consequence on kids whose parents are on low incomes. We can advance and back up positive parenting by advancing capital by intercessions such as the Knex Club run by Rebecca Howell. Rebecca provinces, They design and do their theoretical accounts. So we thought it would be nice in Year 3 for the parents to come, to be invited to come in and to work with the kids to see what goes on in school, to do them experience more comfy coming into school . ( Open University, 2008 ) To reason If we were to compose a occupation description for the function of parent or carer it would certainly show itself as a complex and disputing undertaking, capable to high degrees of examination and anxiousness. Despite this, important Numberss of people in all populations continue to deduce great pleasance and satisfaction from making it. Attention has been drawn to the manner in which those straight involved in the daily attention of kids can be supported by bureaus and grownups ( both formal and informal ) located in a wider web . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 47 ) The constructs of societal and cultural capital are utile thought tools when back uping parents through societal networking or when building carnival, accessible and just services . ( Leverett, 2008 pg 81 )

Friday, February 28, 2020

Contrasting two leadership styles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Contrasting two leadership styles - Essay Example As a result, Steven Jobs ended up highly dynamic in his approach on how to motivate employees to think and create new innovative ideas. Jobs emphasises creativity to the highest level. His very strategic point is to recognise that employees are important asset or resources in the organisation and each idea they created is not superior to the other within the group. The thought that there is going to exist an idea that may turn out higher than the rest is due to the existence of definite criteria within the organisation. This according to Jobs should be the ultimate basis in accepting which idea to be chosen but it does not mean the rest would not be substantially superb. Jobs therefore is combining an effort to motivate his employees to do more, compete with each other in a positive way, and recognise the individual strengths to be maximised for the organisation’s advantage. There are also some leaders who learned to be tougher because that is necessary in order to achieve the organisation’s ultimate goal and image. Microsoft for instance is one of the toughest companies in the world today.Competitive advantage is a way to gain economic advantage or better financial performance (Royer et al., 2008; Gamero et al., 2009). The purpose of competitive strategies is actually to meet corporate goals but it actually also creates specific environment of the organisation (Porter, 1998). It is at this point in which leaders try to remarkably create specific styles of leadership.... Thus, for many years it specifically rely positively on feedback mechanism from the customers as it seeks to continuously improve its product and service offerings. As a result, Bill Gates learned to substantially dream twice as much and be more concise in empowering its subordinates to work and live in his vision. As a successful leader, Gates never failed to encourage his subordinates to dream bigger and even more than that. Gates encourages them to keep on dreaming in order to achieve even the hardest possible things to be realised. This is the reason why inferiority has no place at Microsoft. It definitely does not find its way there. As a result, Gates is so tough at using the individual weaknesses for his advantage. This is his opportunity to apply strong political power. As observed, Jobs and Gates are two renowned leaders of our time in the business world. As leaders, they also show different styles in leadership. It therefore remains a critical point to emphasise that the ve ry nature of their specific approaches as leaders can be substantially explained by how they meet the needs of their organisation. Thus, they have to create a strong foundation for their respective organisation. They have to create a specific environment not only to differentiate their organisation from the other, but in order to gain competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is a way to gain economic advantage or better financial performance (Royer et al., 2008; Gamero et al., 2009). The purpose of competitive strategies is actually to meet corporate goals but it actually also creates specific environment of the organisation (Porter, 1998). It is at this point in which leaders try to remarkably create specific styles of

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

E-learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

E-learning - Essay Example The acquisition of learning techniques and styles by students depends on the personal characteristics of the student, the subject of study, and the student’s level of understanding of the subject. Research confirms that different people prefer different approaches to learning. No one approach or strategy of e-learning is optimal for all students. The methods and technologies used for e-learning in the United Arabs Emirates include the use of web-based education techniques, podcasting, internet video conferencing, social networking software, and computer-assisted instructions, among others. The styles of e-learning are especially gaining popularity in the higher education sector where most of the students are distant learners. This paper discusses how the learning preferences of an individual influence the extent to which e-learning can be an effective learning tool, especially in the United Arabs Emirates. E-learning allows the adoption of the education content to suit the learning styles of individual students. It may entail the incorporation of digital media, digitized materials, graphics, web-based interactions, interactive videos, among others. The adoption of different learning styles and methods impact on the effectiveness of e-learning in the higher education sector. Some researchers have supported the adoption of e-learning with the argument that it allows for the adjustment of educational content to suit the learning needs of the students. However, majority of studies in this field have been confined to the use of standard conventional learning styles in the e-learning systems (Brown, Zoghi, Williams, Jaberzadeh, Roller, Palermo, & Holt, 2009, p.4). This includes tutorial, lecture, problem-based learning, and written text. The relationship between the styles of e-learning and the effectiveness of the e-learning system, as well as the attitude of students towards e-learning, h as been discussed in

Friday, January 31, 2020

Sonnet poem analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sonnet poem analysis - Research Paper Example the relationship and she thinks it could be a painful relationship perhaps pointing to the fact that the poet has been in a relationship earlier also. The poet is unsure about her relationship because relationships have become completely unpredictable and things can go horribly wrong, for youngsters it is all about moving on, some can successfully do that while some others often struggle to move on, this is exactly why the poet looks confused about her relationship in the poem. The poem is beautifully constructed and writing a sonnet is arguably the most difficult task but the poet has managed to accomplish it and the poem conveys a really deep meaning. The poem is all about parenthood and how modern day parents have completely become insensitive to the wants and the needs of the children, children are pouring ink into water and the mother does not seem to care and they keep doing the same for quite some time, this has also resulted in the death of the fish in the tank but the parents still somehow manage to ignore all this. The poet also says that the cook is on leave and the mother is crying because she is peeling the onions but in reality she should also be crying because she is completely ignorant and she pays no attention to her children. â€Å"The poet also says that the mother is lovely and father is late,† (Scenes from the Playroom) perhaps suggesting to the fact that the father returns home very late from work and is left with no energy to talk to his kids and his wife and the mother who stays at home has no time to spend with her children and the children are left alone to do as they like. The complete isolation of children by their parents has been beautifully portrayed in the poem. To conclude it is fair to say that both the poems talk about something really sensible, the first poem talks about relationships and how fragile they are these days and the second poem talks about parents not being able to pay any attention to their children. The poet

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Religion and Economics in Robinson Crusoe and Protestant Ethic and the

Religion and Economics in Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe and Max Weber's Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the most recognized and influential theories in sociology appears in Max Weber's The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, which links the development of capitalism to social and cultural factors, primarily religion, instead of economic factors alone. In his theory Weber concludes that the Protestant Ethic greatly influenced the development of capitalism in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. According to Gordon Marshall, Weber argues that the two most important factors of Protestantism contributing to capitalism were "diligence in worldly callings or vocations" and the notion of predestination (71). If indeed these religious factors did influence the rise of capitalism, it would make perfect sense that other cultural elements, such as literature, would reflect both Protestant and capitalist ideology. This essay shows that in fact such Protestant notions as calling and predestination, which were present in the religion of the time, interact with capitalist ideas in Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, who was himself a devout Protestant that used his writings to influence both the religious and economic views of his readers (Earle 31). If Weber's argument is tenable, then Robinson Crusoe may serve to represent in fiction the Protestant Ethic in early eighteenth century society and its developing spirit of capitalism. An especially interesting question that arises from this analysis is how a social structure that is traditionally considered a-moral, unfair, and materialistic (i.e., economics) can be justified by a structure that is considered moral, just, and spiritual (i.e., rel... ...ork: Scribner's, 1954. Earle, Peter. The World of Defoe. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1976. Forell, George W. The Protestant Faith. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1960. Marshall, Gordon. In Search of the Spirit of Capitalism: An Essay on Max Weber's Protestant Ethic Thesis. New York: Columbia UP, 1982. Pauck, Wilhelm. The Heritage of Reformation. New York: Oxford UP, 1950. Reshef, Yonatan. "Max Weber: The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism." n. pag. Online. Internet. 5 October 1999. Available: http://courses.bus.ualberta.ca/orga417/weber.htm Tawney, R. H. Religion and the Rise of Capitalism: A Historical Study. London: Hazell, Watson, and Viney, 1926. Weber, Max. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Online. 10 October 1999. Available: http://www.spc.uchicago.edu/ssrl/PRELIMS/Theory/weber.html#weber2.   

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Criminal Justice Administration in New Jersey Essay

Spending is an important aspect of criminal justice administration in any jurisdiction. In many instances, budgeting in public administration is a crossroads between policy issues and politics which makes prioritizing very essential. According to New Jersey Policy Perspective (2003), the spending in the state’s criminal justice system especially the correctional facilities has increased tremendously in the last few decades. This has been as a result of the rapid increase in the number of incarcerated offenders in the state correctional facilities where the number has tripled since early 1980s. Consequently, spending in the correctional facilities in the state of New Jersey has been the fastest growing compared to other departments in the states and was estimated that the figure in the 2005 fiscal year would surpass the amount spent by all states in 1975. Moreover, since late 1990s, the correctional facilities in New Jersey have been operating at over capacity and are rated the sixth most crowded facilities in the country. However, this increased spending due to increased incarceration has taken place as the rate of crime in the country is on a downward trend. The correctional facilities in New Jersey consists of fourteen state facilities, nine of which houses male offenders, one reserved for female offenders, three for juveniles while the one is designated as a reception and intake center. It is also the responsibility of the same department to manage offenders who have completed their sentence but are considered dangerous to the society (NJPP, 2003). As the number of offenders housed in New Jersey states correctional facilities from under capacity in the early 1980s to over 135 percent in 2003, the spending in the correctional department increased proportionally. The large number of convicts incarcerated translated into a need for more staff to manage the systems. For example, the number of employees in the correctional facilities and related jobs were about 13,685. This number of employees was only second to the Department of Human Services. However, the parole officers were needed due to the increased number of individuals under parole in the states surpassed the number of prison officers required in the correctional facilities. The number of offenders under parole rose from under ten thousand to over thirteen thousand between 1983 and 2003 (NJPP, 2003). As the number of individuals under incarceration and parole has increased over the years, the need for more budgetary allocation to the state correctional department has been inevitable. According to the New Jersey Policy Perspective report, the money allocated to the correctional programs in the states rose by about 555 percent in twenty years hitting 1. 1 billion dollars in 2003 up from 203 dollars in 1983. There are many factors including changes in the law that are considered responsible for the increased number of inmates in the states correctional facilities and consequently increased spending. Some of them include changes in the law and statutes within the state’s jurisdiction such as the criminal code and drug laws enforcement statutes (NJPP, 2003). In conclusion, the increased spending in the New Jersey correctional facilities is inevitable. Just as in other states and federal correctional institutions that have been overwhelmed by the increased number of incarcerated offenders or individuals under paroles in the last three decades, the New Jersey facilities have been equally affected by the trends. The increased need for more prison and parole staff, training and caring for offenders in the states facilities has skyrocketed spending in the New Jersey correctional department.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

Amazing American Beaver Facts

The American beaver (Castor canadensis) is one of two living species of beavers—the other species of beaver is the Eurasian beaver. The American beaver is the worlds second largest rodent, only the capybara of South America is larger. Fast Facts: Beavers Scientific Name: Castor canadensisCommon Name(s): Beaver, North American Beaver, American BeaverBasic Animal Group:  MammalSize: About 29–35 inches longWeight: 24–57 poundsLifespan: Up to 24 yearsDiet:  HerbivoreHabitat:  Wetland areas of North America outside of the California and Nevada deserts and parts of Utah and Arizona.Population:  6–12 millionConservation  Status:  Least Concern Description American beavers are stocky animals that have a compact body and short legs. They are aquatic rodents and have a number of adaptations that make them adept swimmers including webbed feet and a broad, flat tail that is covered with scales. They also have an extra set of eyelids which are transparent and close over their eyes enabling beavers to see while underwater. Beavers have a pair of glands located at the base of their tail called castor glands. These glands secrete an oil that has a distinct musk odor, making it great for use in marking territory. Beavers also use the castor oil to protect and waterproof their fur. Beavers have very large teeth in proportion to their skull. Their teeth and are super-sturdy thanks to a coating of tough enamel. This enamel is orange to chestnut brown in color. Beavers teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. As beavers chew through tree trunks and bark, their teeth get worn down, so the continuous growth of their teeth ensures they always have a sharp set of teeth available to them. To further assist them in their chewing endeavors, beavers have strong jaw muscles and significant biting strength. Stan Tekiela Author / Naturalist / Wildlife Photographer/Getty Images Habitat and Distribution American Beavers live in the riparian zone—along the edges of wetlands and bodies of fresh water including rivers, creeks, lakes, and ponds and, in some cases, in and around brackish estuaries. American beavers inhabit a range that extends throughout most of North America. The species is only absent from the northernmost regions of Canada and Alaska as well as the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Diet Beavers are herbivores. They feed on bark, leaves, twigs and other plant material which is plentiful in their native habitat. Behavior Beavers are well-known for their unusual behaviors: They use their strong teeth to fell small trees and branches which they use to build dams and lodges which have a significant impact on the path and health of waterways. Beaver dams are structures built with logs, branches, and mud. They are used to block up flowing streams to flood grasslands and forests, thus turning them into beaver-friendly habitats. In addition to providing habitat for a wide range of animals, beaver dams also reduce waterway erosion. Beavers build lodges, dome-shaped shelters made of woven sticks, branches, and grass that are plastered together with mud. Lodges can be burrows built into pond banks or mounds built in the middle of a pond. They can be up to 6.5 feet tall and 40 feet wide. These elaborate structures include an insulated, wood-lined lodge chamber and a ventilating shaft called a chimney. The entrance to a beaver lodge is located below the surface of the water. Lodges are generally built during the warmer months, during which time beavers also gather food for the winter. While they do not migrate or hibernate, they do slow down during the winter months. Reproduction and Offspring Beavers live in family units called colonies. A beaver colony commonly includes as many as eight individuals including a monogamous breeding pair, newborn kits, and yearlings (kits from the prior season). Members of the colony establish and defend a home territory. Beavers reproduce sexually. They reach sexual maturity at about three years of age. Beavers breed in January or February and their gestation period is 107 days. Typically, three or four beaver kits are born in the same litter. Young beavers are weaned at about two months of age. Zoran Kolundzija/Getty Images Conservation Status Beavers are considered to be of Least Concern, meaning that there is a large, thriving population of beavers in North America. This has not always been the case; in fact, beavers were overhunted for many years and beaver fur was the basis of many large fortunes. More recently, however, protections were put in place which allowed beavers to re-establish their population. Beavers and Humans Beavers are a protected species, but their behaviors can make them a nuisance in some settings. Beaver dams can cause flooding to roads and fields, or block the flow of waterways and the fish that swim in them. On the other hand, beaver dams are also important for controlling erosion and runoff during storms. Sources â€Å"Beaver.†Ã‚  Smithsonians National Zoo, 23 Nov. 2018, nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/beaver.Sartore, Joel. â€Å"Beaver.†Ã‚  National Geographic, 21 Sept. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/b/beaver/.