PROJECT MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

PROJECT MANAGEMENT - Essay Example quation for break-even point with the consideration of NPV is expressed as, 0 = -$200,000,000 + (Sum of all PV Factors) x $25,000,000 (â€Å"Definition of Net Present Value†). From this equation, Sum of all PV Factors = 200,000,000 / 25,000,000 = 8. The PV Factor for each year is calculated using formula, 1/(1+r)^n. In this formula, r = 13%, and n = number of years, such as 1,2,3 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦., and so on. The sum of PV factors at r = 13% for 70 years is equal to 7.69, and NPV = -7,721,304. It can be concluded that Break-even point with NPV for Alpha project is much longer than 70 years. The sum of all PV Factors for the project Zeta is calculated, Sum of all PV Factors = 500,000,000 / 70,000,000 = 7.1428. The sum of all PV Factors for the yearly return 13% in 25 years is equal to 7.1695. It is concluded that Break-even points of Zeta project is in between 24 and 25 years. Answer to Question 7. Big Lu is using NPV criterion that is based on the discounted cash flow concept. It implies that annual income for each year will be discounted to the present value. If the Net Present Value is positive then the investment project is accepted. This is an industry accepted method; that is why Big LU investment criteria is

Why does the UK financial services regulator take such a dim view of Essay

Why does the UK financial services regulator take such a dim view of both market abuse and insider dealing - Essay Example 179). Since the past decade, financial markets have experienced essential reforms. This is because globalization has had dramatic and far-reaching effects on United Kingdom. Market abuse and insider dealings are criminal cases for which one is to be fined or publicly censured (Avgouleas, 2005, p. 179). Market abuse is more loosely delineated than insider dealings. Most of the offenses in the financial markets are dealt with under the market abuse regime. The financial service regulator can enforce a criminal prosecution on a market abuse case if it deems fit and if there is sufficient evidence. Market abuse, according to Alexander (2001, p. 12), refers to improper behavior that destabilizes the United Kingdom markets and harms the interests of the ordinary market users and participants. For this reason, the financial services regulation Act has created sanctions and penalties which are adjacent to the criminals’ offenses Act (Compliance Reporter, 2011, p. 2-3). The primary asp ect of market abuse is behavior in relation to shares and other financial instruments transacted publicly in United Kingdom. For behavior to be termed as an insider dealing, it should typify one of the seven types of insider dealings and market abuses as described by the financial service regulator. However, it should be noted that insider dealing and market abuse acts amount to criminal offenses subject to penal sanctions. The misleading statements and courses of conduct with the aim of inducing another person to implement or desist from carrying out rights in relation to investments amount to criminal offenses (The Compliance Reporter, 2011, p. 4). The market abuse regime will nab anyone: not only the individuals working in the financial markets or who manage the quoted companies on the board but also anyone who will attempt to abuse the securities markets in delineated ways. An individual is liable even when the actions were unintentional and or indirect (encouraging such behavio rs). According to Alexander (2001, p. 4), market abuse and insider information regime covers financial instruments such as the shares, futures, warrants, options and debt insurance, and contracts for differences, transacted on every regulated market in United Kingdom. In addition, the regime covers all the operations associated with the financial instruments even when carried out off-market. In other instances, conduct according to other related financial instruments or essential goods may be nabbed, even when the instruments are not transacted on a normal regulated market. In addition, an individual’s conduct involving securities transacted on an overseas unfettered market may be nabbed if an option related to them is merchandized in United Kingdom. The market abuse regime purposes to safeguard markets from harm to their efficiency and to guarantee effectiveness, order and fairness. The financial service regulator has the responsibility of issuing codes of conduct in the mar ket, which give appropriate direction to individuals determining whether behavior constitutes abuse or not. An insider, in reference to Alexander (2001, p. 10), refers to an individual who has inside information about an investment as a result of his or her membership in the administrative or supervisory body of an issuer of qualifying venture or management. An individual may also be an insider due to holding capital of an issuer of a stipulated venture or due to having right to use the data by the fact of employment, professionalism, or responsibilities. In addition, an

William Wordsworth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

William Wordsworth - Essay Example The characterization of Tim O’Brien in the book, although fictitious, is important in generating a sense of relationship between the story and the reader in ways that explains a very profound side of war pertaining to truth. Through his various stories, O’Brien reflects on different perspectives of war and its associated notions of courage and bravery. In a story he tells, O’Brien feels like a coward because he supported or conformed to a stand he did not stood for. He attempted to try to escape the war by running away to Canada but inevitably decides to give in to social pressures of giving his service for the draft. A prominent emphasis is on the aspect of truth related to war. Occurrance does not entail truth and thus, everything that happens does not necessarily mean it is true. With this concept, O’Brien tries to stress on the fact that truth is independent of happenings but depends on feelings. As such, truth is far beyond the usual accepted truths that are created through social or cultural discourse. This also implies that something cannot be deemed untruthful is its existence is fictitious but rather such â€Å"story-truths† are central to capturing truth as they engender emotions. O’Brien used various stories to demonstrate how the truth of any story lies not in its accuracy of evidence but in its emotional connection with a receiver: listener or reader. Some stories that are narrated in the course of the book also include some that do not necessarily seem to be truthful in their conventional ways but they are true in the sense that they appeal to their audiences in ways that establish a connection. Tim O’Brien has intelligently employed his characterization in various different stories throughout the book so as to build an interest and a sense of reality of experiences. With his book, O’Brien has tried to create an

Green biotechnology, government policies, taxes, barriers and all that Essay

Green biotechnology, government policies, taxes, barriers and all that include government policies for green biotech. deadline 2 - Essay Example Regulation of Green Biotech The potential for human health risks and environmental damage has necessitated the need for the government to monitor and regulate the release of genetically modified (GM) organism in the environment and commercialization of GM food products. The Brazil government uses the precautionary principle in the regulation of biotechnology products. This is with respect to the environmental safety and consumer health. The precautionary principle is used when there is a threat of severe damage to human health or the environment. Innovation in agriculture biotechnology depends on the strength of intellectual property rights. The World Intellectual Property Organization manages and protects international intellectual property and ensures countries commitment to fight biotech piracy. Governments have established transparent judicial mechanism to enable firms to complain about intellectual property violation, and provide resources to the enforcement of property rights ( Gaisford and William 61-69). In U.S, the efficacy and the safety of an agricultural product should be demonstrated to regulatory agencies before it is commercialized. The agencies also conduct a risk assessment to ensure safety of GMOs in laboratories or green house (Joyia 20-21) Barriers to green biotechnology The lack of appropriate technology is a great obstacle in the attempt to apply biotechnology to benefit the developing countries. This is brought about by technologies being developed in advanced nations and take time to diffuse to developing countries. Another problem is the issue of intellectual property rights. Companies in advanced nations own most of the patents for green biotech. These companies have to be adequately compensated in order to allow access to their invention. Other obstacles to green biotech include the lack of marketing mechanism, poverty and disparities between nations, local and regional politics, biosafety issues, limited infrastructure for exploiting biotechnology, and the biotech debate waged in potential donor countries (Acquaah 460). Ways in which Green biotech can be best traded? Most developing countries can adopt transgenic crops to increase food production in the market and bring in more money to the farmer. Green biotechnology may not be the ultimate solution to hunger and malnutrition, but it can bring about increased, environmental friendly, sustainable and economically profitable agricultural growth. Most developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, for example, have high hopes of producing high yields of transgenic crops to reduce threats of food security. Food insecurity is brought about by drought, insect pest infestation, viral and fungal diseases that result into severe crop loss. The potentiality of agricultural biotechnology in Sub-Saharan countries lies in producing hard crops to withstand the various natural risks. The sub- Saharan biodiversity resource provides possibilities for developing new genetic traits. These traits can be used in transgenic crops through regulatory processes and well- funded innovative research to create environmentally friendly and new varieties that are harder than existing varieties. Cases of scientific success in developing countries show that green biotech can change the local economy and reduce food security concerns. The famous example of technology beneficial impact on agricultural production is the green revolution. In Kenya, scientists have developed

Surrealism Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Surrealism Art - Essay Example The essay "Surrealism Art" states the surrealism movement and art. Artists of the 20th century that actively participated in the surrealist movement included but were not limited to Rene Magritte, Man Ray, and Giorgio de Chirico. The surrealist artists invented techniques which tended to portray the mechanisms of dreams, thus emphasizing upon the theory of liberation through their artwork. Giorgio de Chirico is known as the pioneer of surrealist aesthetic. The surrealist artists gained inspiration from his work and attempted to minimize the role of will and consciousness in the artwork. Potential examples of this include Andre Masson’s automatic drawings, Max Ernst’s use of collage and frottage techniques, and raographs made by Man Ray. Thereafter, oneiric images were made by Dali and Magritte by juxtaposing contrasting elements. The first group of the surrealist artists exhibited their artwork in 1925 in Paris. The exhibitions that were subsequently arranged in London and New York in the year 1936 led to the spread and recognition of the surrealist style of art at a larger scale. An exhibition was arranged in 1937 in Tokyo followed by another in Paris in 1938. The surrealist style of art has influenced the American art a lot. For instance, â€Å"the practice of automatism is one basis for Jackson Pollock's work and for Action Painting, while the Surrealists' interest in objects prefigures Pop Art†. Paintings contain familiar objects that are painted in such a way so as to make them appear strange and unknown.

The Gilded Age Essay Example for Free

The Gilded Age Essay Response During the Gilded Age (1876-1900), Congress was known for being rowdy and inefficient. It was not unusual to find that agreement could not be achieved because too many members were drunk or otherwise preoccupied with extra-governmental affairs. It was an era in which political corruption seemed to be the norm. Practices that today would be viewed as scandalous were accepted as a matter of routine. The narrow division between Republican and Democratic voters made both parties hesitant to take strong stands on any issue for fear of alienating blocs of voters. The result was that little got done. The halls of Congress were filled with tobacco smoke, Businessmen wantonly bribed public officials at the local, state and national level, and political machines turned elections into exercises in fraud and manipulation. (Kennedy, pg 591) The Senate, whose seats were often auctioned off to the highest bidder, was known as a â€Å"rich mans club,† where political favors were traded like horses, and the needs of the people in the working classes lay beyond the vision of those exalted legislators. The dominant fact concerning the American political parties between 1875 and 1900 was that the parties were evenly divided. The Republican Party held a slight edge in national politics, largely on their repeated claim that it was the Democratic Party that had caused the Civil War. Republicans were noted for waving the â€Å"Bloody Shirt,† calling Democrats responsible for the blood that was shed over secession. (Kennedy, Pg 602) Union veterans gravitated heavily to the Republican Party, which caused its popularity. Before the Civil War the Democratic Party had become a heavily Southern party, and its strong Southern base continued until well into the 20th century. The northern wing of the Democratic Party leaned heavily in favor of the working classes, whose demographic makeup included Roman Catholics of German and Irish descent, and many of the working class immigrants once they became eligible to vote. Neither Democrats nor Republicans were willing to take strong stands on issues important to the voters. Due to the corruption of the parties, little was done in office. The sectionalism caused unfair elections and favored voting that would last for the next decades to come.

The Supporting People Programme And Housing Problems Social Work Essay

The Supporting People Programme And Housing Problems Social Work Essay This essay examines the Supporting People programme, a scheme introduced on 1st April 2003 with the aim of addressing the housing needs of societys most vulnerable individuals (Supporting People, 2009). Firstly, the programme will be described, followed by a focus on how it actively seeks to involve individuals with disabilities and complex health and support needs to be involved in their support and care arrangements. The Supporting People programme is a decentralised programme delivered through 152 authorities and by voluntary, community, and housing associations. At any one time, the programme can be supporting as many as one million people from a range of disadvantaged groups. Service users include older people, the homeless, those with mental health issues, and women at risk of domestic violence. The Supporting People Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) agreed a new core objective that would focus on service user involvement and empowerment. This objective is aimed at cutting across all core objectives and involves a commitment to supporting independence, informed choice, consulting with service users, and offering opportunities to be involved in the running of the Supporting People services. Some of the service user involvement initiatives currently underway are discussed throughout this essay. Sitra, a registered charity offering policy, training and consultancy for housing with care and support, are a charity who are working closely with central government and national bodies to ensure that the views and perspectives of the sector, and the vulnerable people that it supports are represented and understood (Sitra, 2011a, p.1). In their efforts to achieve this, they have introduced the concept of partnership working between organisations and service users. Partnership working is aimed at involving and empowering people in improving services and the experience of using them. This actively supports the governments Personalisation Agenda, which places a huge emphasis on the inclusion of service users in the design and delivery of services (Dickinson and Glasby, 2010). Sitra also run two training courses in client involvement, which are co-produced and co-delivered by staff and service users. One of the training programmes is entitled Client Engagement: Getting the Thinking Right (Sitra 2011b). This course is designed to challenge organisations to find new ways of working that encourage and actively seek to involve service users. A second training program, entitled Client Engagement: Making it a Reality, emphasises how the way staff communicate, listen, gather feedback and involve service users has an impact on service user involvement (Sitra, 2011c). Through such training programmes, organisations are provided with ideas and models for service user involvement. At a local level, Westminster have been involving service users in their support and care arrangements via the Mental Health Service Users Panel (Supporting People, 2007). The panel comprises a group of service users who work with the council in the planning and development of present and future housing projects to meet the needs of local people. Initiatives such as this one directly support the Tenants Services Authority (TSA), which has highlighted service user participation as a key component for Registered Social Landlords (TSA, 2008). Indeed, under the Supporting People Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) housing related support and care providers are now required to place service users at the centre of their strategic plans in efforts to demonstrate quality service provision and achieve level A standard (i.e. evidenced examples where no standards score C). Even to achieve level C (minimum required standard), providers need to demonstrate that they have fully engaged with service users (TSA, 2010). Another local initiative demonstrating how the Supporting People programme has been working towards service user involvement is NOAH Enterprise (Gill, 2010). NOAH Enterprise is a charity based in Luton (Bedfordshire) designed to help people who are homeless or contending with issues around exclusion. Service user involvement is claimed to be an integral part of the way of life at NOAH Enterprise, with examples being that service users are involved in helping in their Welfare Centre or at retail outlets. There is also the opportunity to learn transferable skills in workshops, thus empowering service users towards independence. Every volunteer and service user who helps NOAH Enterprise over a 3-month period receives a certificate of achievement, thus demonstrating the active encouragement of service user involvement. There are also a number of events that have been organised around client involvement, including a client involvement conference to be held in mid-2011 (Sitra, 2011c). This conference has been co-organised by staff and service users, demonstrating new ways of working together in partnership being put into practice. A similar conference was held in January 2010, which included participation and presentations from both staff and service users. One problem confronted by the Supporting People programme in their service user involvement efforts has been lack of support from some tenants, especially in sheltered accommodation (Audit Commission, 2009). However, regular audits conducted since the inception of the Supporting People programme have primarily highlights the benefits of these service user involvement initiatives. Such benefits include improvements in tailored support through active service user involvement (Audit commission 2005). The Audit Commission report that the Supporting People approach to service user inclusion and staff and service user partnership has helped move many providers from a more paternalistic approach to one where service users are able to influence services. Furthermore, increased service user involvement was a key feature of those authorities who received higher inspection scores. Such findings are supported by an evaluation conducted by Cameron et al. (2007) that found that integrating service s to support people with complex needs is most effective when the service is determined by the characteristics of the service user. References Audit Commission., 2009. Supporting People Programme 2005-2009. [online]. Available from: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Downloads/spprogramme200509acfinalreportclg.pdf [cited 03 April 2011]. Cameron, A., et al., 2007. The challenges of joint working: lessons from the Supporting People health pilot evaluation. International Journal of Integrated Care, 7, 1-9. Dickinson, H. and Glasby, J., 2010. Third Sector Research Centre Working Paper 30 The personalisation agenda: implications for the third sector. [online]. Available from: http://www.tsrc.ac.uk/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=U8tazrnMZ%2Bs%3Dtabid=500 [cited 03 April 2011]. Gill, S., 2010. Positive outcomes and service user involvement. Bulletin. NOAH Enterprise. Sitra., 2011a. [online]. Policy and public affairs. [online]. Available from: http://www.sitra.org.uk/policy_and_public_affairs/ [cited 03 April 2011]. Sitra., 2011b. Client engagement: getting the thinking right [online]. Available from: http://www.sitra.org/1230/ [cited 03 April 2011]. Sitra., 2011c. Client involvement in housing support and care: Sharing and learning good practice. [online]. Available from: http://www.sitra.org/client_involvement_conference/ [cited 03 April 2011]. Supporting People, 2007. Supporting people newsletter. [online]. http://www3.westminster.gov.uk/docstores/publications_store/Supporting%20People_V6.pdf [cited 03 April 2011]. Supporting People, 2009. The Supporting People Programme. Thirteenth Report of Session 2008-09 Volume I, House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee. London: The Stationery Office Limited. Tenant Services Authority (TSA), 2010. Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) Regulatory framework for social housing in England from April 2010. [online]. Available from: http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ConWebDoc.20175 [cited 03 April 2011]. Tenant Services Authority (TSA), 2008. Regulatory guidance for registered social landlords. [online]. Available from: http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ConWebDoc.15355 [cited 03 April 2011].