World Bank

Reform internal Goverance A. Introduction: â€Å"The World Bank has undergone significant change in its purpose and membership since its inception in 1944† (world bank, 2003). As a result, there are many people criticize regarding its current governance and accountability. They are discussed that bank’s governance system is undemocratic, largely because borrowing countries that are impacted the most by bank projects have minimal voice in bank’s decisions about loan and projects and the selection of the bank president is unilateral. The World Bank also lack of transparency in its decision making.And then, critics argue the bank’s members are unaccountable. â€Å"In April 2010, Management presented a set of operational and institutional reforms aimed to enhance the overall effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy, and accountability of the WBG† (WB, 2010). Some of these reform areas have direct implications on the governance of the institution, from the perspective of Board / Management relations, institutional accountability, and relations with external stakeholders. AS a result the Bank uses the methods to solve the current problems, such as reforming the voting system and presidential selection and makes the bank’s accountability.B. Governance: â€Å"Since the World Bank was established over 60 years ago, its role in supporting economic and social development has expanded and deepened with changes in the global context and the evolution in the financial architecture†(Jeff, 2007). The focus on strengthening internal governance systems and structures is driven by external and internal forces. There is little of bank basic structure has been altered, even though the World Bank’s members have been changed considerably.The main problem of the World Bank’s governance is that developing country has weak link with bank’s decision making process, because they do not have their own executive director. â €Å"The World Bank’s internal governance mechanisms reflect the political and power relation which dominated World Bank’s politics in the decades following World War II. The five large shareholders in the Bank is the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France which maintain more than two-thirds of the voting power, effectively ensuring that decision reflect the policy views of America and western Europe†(Leech, D. 2003)). Developing countries influence on the Board of Executive Directors is limited. â€Å"The remaining 16 Board seats are split among 177† (Leech, D. (2003), this has the consist with large number of individual countries. People suggest two ways: one is reforming current voting system, and another is selecting the bank’s president. 1. Reforming voting system: Many people argue the bank’s current voting system. When the executive board makes decision about loan or other policies, voting is not based on one vot e per country rule. Voting power is weighted and is based on a country’s quota†(Leech, D. (2003). Under the current quota, â€Å"each country has base of 150 votes, the country which has good economic can add votes, it means one additional vote for each share of stock held by that country, which depend on that country’s relative economic and financial strength†(Daniel Kalinaki, 2002). For example, United State is a large shareholder, and it holds 16. 4% votes (see table below). Member of the country that holds large shares has more power than the poor country during decision making process.Unfortunately, the developing countries need more loans, but they have the least amount of voting power to make loan decision. The quota system dictates that a handful of developed countries hold a majority of shares, these members are able to dominate the bank’s decision making process. Table: Voting Weights and Voting Powers in the Governors Member countries hav e suggested proposal for reforming the voting system to Increase representation of the borrowing countries. Double majority voting is one reform that may enhance developing countries’ participation. Under this system, decision would require to pass by two majorities that are majority of shareholder votes and majority of developing countries votes†(World Bank Group, 2003). This would give developing countries more opportunities to say what they want to say, because decision would not pass without support with a majority. And this system also allows the industrialized donor countries and the developing recipient countries to assert their claims. 2. Selection of the World Bank President The selection of president is another argument relating to bank governance. The board of governors selects the president for a five year, renewable term†( Jeff powell, 2007). According the bank’s Article of Agreement state: â€Å"Executive Directors shall select a president wh o shall be chief of operating staff of the bank and shall conduct, under the direction of the Executive Directors, the ordinary business of the bank†(World Bank Group, 2003), â€Å"the Board of Executive Directors selects the President, in practice the head of the Bank is selected by the United States while the head of the IMF is selected by Europe†( David Theis, 2010).This gentleman's agreement between the US and Europe reduces the legitimacy and credibility of the World Bank. No clear procedures exists for ensuring the qualifications of a candidate, nor does a process exist for other member states to review and question appointments. The World Bank President should be selected through an open and transparent process. Now, many people and the global expert and world bank employees disagree the way the president choice and argue that the selection process should be a democratic, not only focuses on one country.They think that United States is no longer valid to be presi dent because the united state account for 16% of the world bank’s share now, it does not play a dominate role in world bank. It is also unfair that united state hold a monopoly over the World Bank’s leadership. Many people give the advice to the World Bank for changing in the selection process. The one way they support is selecting process should be open and based on merit.They believe that opening up the selection process will ensue among qualified candidates’ and it also like a competition, which help the World Bank to get qualify president. The way is simulate new voting system. The new president should pass double majority. This means the president should be approved by a majority of the member countries and group of countries representing majority. This gives everyone opportunity to select who is the best president. The World Bank responses the working group and makes suggestion for selection process. The working group advice (1) the selection should overse e cannot focus on single country. (2) They should have a specific standard for choose candidates. (3) Every country has opportunity to provide candidates†(Daniel Kalinaki. 2002). The most important is candidate that was selected should have more experience and qualifications, and the selection process should be open and transparent. C. Accountability Critics argue that the Bank is unaccountable to its members, because they have charter which is immunity from lawsuits.The bank’s charter grants the bank immunity to the extent that member countries or persons who can not sue the bank about it do not follow its police. And it is fail to make it more accountable. Therefore, many people advice that the bank need to improve their accountable. If the bank cannot show their accountable, the member countries cannot trust what the bank does. As a result, the bank develop many horizontal accountability mechanisms which including the operation evaluation department, the department o f institutional integrity. 1. TransparencyWhile the Bank's internal governance structures minimize the ability for developing countries to engage, the lack of transparency in decision making reduces the effectiveness of external stakeholders to engage in Bank affairs. The lack of Board transcripts leaves stakeholders with no way of knowing where individual Executive Directors stood on issues. This reduces their ability to effectively advocate their position. â€Å"In 1933, the Bank restricted public access to almost every type of document that related to bank’s project. Consequently, people do not know bank’s lending operation, nd they do not know where their money is going†(Jeff powell, (2007) Public scrutiny harm the bank’s decision making and effect its deliberation, the reason why they do is they think that the bank does not have the rights to disclose the documents. It is borrowing country’s property. When the number of public scrutiny and cri ticism increase, the bank attempts to increase its transparency. The bank has expanded the information that allows public to access. As we can see, the bank uses its website to show public what it is doing and publish more research to people.The website that bank published shows the thing it will do, and annual report and presentation. The bank starts to improve transparency policy and create operations manual, and this change make the bank is more accountable to their member countries. It also creates many mechanisms to enhance horizontal accountability, which means department can check the abuses by other department. 2. Dual Feedback Performance Dual feedback performance is an important part to improve governance structure and accountability framework of WBG (World Bank Group).The feedback system is agreed by the executive directors, and it will be a part of WBG’s governance and accountability with next presidential selection round. The main object of Dual feedback performa nce is creating a dynamic relationship between Board and Management to improve in governance and effectiveness of the Board and president. A Committee on Governance and Administrative Matters (COGAM) Working Group composed of Board and Management representatives was established to work on developing a framework for the dual feedback performance of the Board and President. COGAM discussed a report from the Board members of the Working Group and endorsed the report as a significant input to continued work on the framework, which would be taken up by a renewed, integrated Board-Management Working Group in the next term of the Board† (World Bank Group, 2003). Dual feedback Performance can help each other to measure their performance and it can cause the governance of the bank more reliable. Each of department monitor other’s action and the bank will be dependable, because everyone is under the control, and there is less collusion between the departments.The Board and presid ent wish to begin with a structured conversation on their respective effectiveness, measure against the institutional achievement as captured by the corporate scorecard. Conclusion: To improve the World Bank internal governance and ensuring the consistent with Department for International Development’s own objective, reform must take place at The Bank to achieve transparence and responsibility. An improved policy on information discloses would foster transparency and enables stakeholders to hold the Bank and their representatives to account.Improved selection procedures for the President alongside more equitable control among member states on the Board of Executive Directors would expand ownership of the organization to developing countries thereby increasing legitimacy and enhancing credibility and effectiveness and developing countries more opportunities to show their opinions. An improvement of Dual feedback performance helps the World Bank has more accountability to all d epartments; each of department can monitor each other and everything they is under the control.

National Identity in Film

The Piano, by Campion, and Truman Show, by Weir both interact with concepts of national identity in separate ways.   Both of these films are products of New Zealand culture, either through production or in cultural discourse.   Both films have also been well received and heavily awarded. The Piano tells the story of Ada McGrath.   She is a Scotswoman from New Zealand who is sold into marriage.   The film is staged in 1851. She doesn’t speak throughout the majority of the film, but expresses herself through her piano playing; this is until her husband leaves her piano on a beach.   This is symbolic of his lack of love for her and an example of the emptiness in Ada’s life.   The piano is then sold to their neighbor George Baines who convinces Ada to give him piano lessons and eventually sexual favors.   As Ada gradually falls in love with Baines through their connection of the piano, she finds meaning for her life. The Truman Show is directed by Australian Peter Weir and written by New Zealander Andrew Niccol.   The story follows Truman Burbank who is unaware that his entire life, since birth, has been an organized farce for a television series/project.   He is luckily chosen, out of a group of five baby orphans, to be the star of the show.   The Truman Show represents Truman’s life.   Viewers are told that Truman’s birth was broadcast live on television, but his child rearing is not presented in the film. The idea behind national identity is that one defines their self through the identity of their nation.   In their article, National Identity and Self-Esteem, Jeff Spinner-Halev and Elizabeth Theiss-Morse analyze the nature of national identity.   They adopt the theory that if the self-esteem of an individual is tied to their nation than it’s the perfect proponent to maintain safe and secure nations.   They feel that there is an immediate connection between self respect and group identity; so much so, it could lead to one sacrificing their own personal needs for the good of the group. They also acknowledge that there is a competitive nature within group self esteem; this meaning that most groups want their group to do better than others.   This is often seen in the patriotic nature of political propaganda, carried out by many countries to convince soldiers to go to war.   This system of control is one known for cajoling groups to fallow a certain program or way of thinking by catering to individuals’ wants, needs, or taking advantage of their fears. This complex of national identity is a major aspect of a government’s societal control, as well as a significant ideal satirized in The Truman Show.   It is most visibly personified in the character of the show’s producer Christof.   He argues that human beings accept the world in which they are presented, and uses this to justify why Truman hasn’t figured out his predicament up to this point.   All of the employees, of the studio, acting as Truman’s family, friends and extras living within the town, can all be viewed as nationalists to the studio’s regime. The National Identity of these films can be directly corresponded to the culture and history of New Zealand.   In 1945, the New Zealand Film Critic Gordon Mirams argued that if there was a New Zealand culture, it was a mostly a Hollywood creation. The only thing more popular than going to the movies, in New Zealand, was drinking tea, during that time period. This idea is supported by the statistic that for many years New Zealanders were the most frequenters of the movie world. In their book New Zealand Film 1912-1996 Helen Martin and Sam Edwards analyze the filmography of many films produced during this century in New Zealand.   This book basically analyzes the entire history of film in New Zealand.   The two authors managed to find more than 162 films.   In formulating their list and deciding on what they would identify as New Zealand Films, they decided the film had to have a significant connection to the location in terms of the film’s creators, cast, copyright holder, financiers, production team, and technical equipment. They also felt that a film that holds a sociological connection to New Zealand should be categorized as a New Zealand films as well.   Thus, they included The Piano in their list of films pointing out that though it was not filmed in New Zealand, its story was still set there.   The authors also felt it the film addressed social issues pertaining to the history of New Zealand within the time frame it was set. The Piano, identified as a socially conscious New Zealander film, it is identified as such through its understanding of national identity and the plight of the New Zealand people.   This can be seen in the fact that the film is a historically place romance, and has much cultural significance.   The film is often credited for its style, in that it is deemed as a historical romance and a contemporary romance in a historical setting. In his article, Lost causes: the ideology of national identity in Australian cinema, John Slavin does an in-depth analysis of the cultural connotations present in cinema when using it to understand a nation.   His stance is that cinema as well as reality have an interweaving relationship with each other that ultimately define the national identity of a nation.   He further explains this in his closing statements when he says, Ideology transforms individuals into constitutive social subjects by interpelation, the Althusserian term for the seductive mirror images of coherent identity promoted by cultural artifacts such as the popular cinema. But this thesis follows the suggestion that it is the purpose of ideology to represent an imaginary relationship of the cinematic viewer to his/her real conditions of existence. Those real conditions, based on psychic and social displacement are symptomatic of the Marxist definition of alienation†¦ In other words, representations of identity, both national and individual, are thrown into critical doubt within the mythic narratives. (Slavin, 2002). Slavin’s view that though ideology is used in film, national identity is virtually dependant on film narrative is very ironic, considering that he uses ideology by connecting his argument to Marxism.   In the end, the interpretation of his argument, just like national identity, are both dependant on the work and views of their creator, no matter how drenched in history they. Even within this corruption of the true nature of things, Slavin acknowledges that the transitional tendency of film images, etiquette and social relations over the years is a perfect source for study of socio-economic change.   Once one grasps a clear understanding of cinema’s use of ideology to mold national culture, the only question left is, how is ideology used, and national culture shaped, specifically within these two films? In their novel, Piano Lessons: Approaches to the Piano by Felicity Coombs and Suzanne Germmell, the authors work to claim a better understanding of The Piano.   They point out the films originally human nature in the fact that there is no main villain.   The audience is often incited to pity, empathize and despise all three main characters. Baines, Stewart, and Ada can all be viewed as human because they all have their flaws.   It is wrong for Stewart to disregard his wife they way he does, though the nature of his arrange marriage is a notable statement pertaining to the era of the film’s plot.   The audience is allowed to relate to this sociological circumstance, while at the same time despise Stewart for his treatment of Ada.   Whereas Ada is presented as a victim of the cultural norms of her time period, she still transcends beyond this, to adopt contemporary ideals and relate to the audience.   The fact that she cheats on her husband is a motive for dislike, but it is also key to the liberation she achieves from her mundane existence. The fact that she does not embody the role of the victim throughout the entire film is testament to the film’s reality.   Baines also becomes an equally likeable figure in that his sexual advances evolve from something seemingly corrupt to an actual full blown love affair.   This triangular relationship between the three main characters says a lot about male and female relations during the time.   The authors also correspond to Ada’s relationship with men to the nature of post-colonialism, which was also a big part of New Zealand at this time and also a big part of this film. The relationship between the oppressor and the oppressed is a key theme in the relationships Ada has with men.   The colonial history of 1850’s New Zealand is encompassed within the plot.   This is an example of how ideology is used in narrative to enhance the value of a message more relevant.   In confronting these ideals of colonization, the film came under much scrutiny.   Many felt the film gave a false presentation of race.   During this time there were many Maori, who argued they were the product of White New Zealanders’ social injustice. They felt the film’s disregard for their cultural relevance was a form of national mythmaking, in avoiding the argument that whites staked claim on their land. This conflict is overlooked by the plot, but the nature of its severity is still implied through the topic being completely disregarded. It is also a common controversy within the land that many foreign investors come and buy land, from potentially the wrong owners. By disregarding their true history, the national identity presented for New Zealand is that of a small land with a history for sale. The connection with national identity here is cultural.   This differs from the connection visible in The Truman Show. Just like The Piano, The Truman Show poses an argument larger than itself in respect to national identity, only this film speaks more metaphorically.   The idea previously posed in National Identity and Self Esteem, was that national identity is largely the product of a model that is followed by a group of people.   These people are so caught up in the ideals of the group, they rather sacrifice their own individual comforts for the good of the team. The authors found that these groups are also very competitive with one another, identifying their identity with that of the group and basing the groups identity on their contrast from other groups.   This becomes very relative to some of Rene Girard’s views.   In his seminal theory of mediated desire Rene Girard argues that human desire is imitative.   His views is that the goals we hold most personal are actually the desires of others which we want to achieve because others want to achieve them. This is very compatible with the ideals of national culture and the cult group fallowing it incites.   This is also seen constantly in The Truman Show, the main motivation for Truman to escape the studio/town is to travel to Fiji after his one true love.   If the character personifying his school crush had never desired to move there, Truman would have never desired to follow.   This is a direct personification of Girard’s theory, as well as an example of Morse and Halev’s version of national identity.   Here it is easy to see the differing way in which The Truman Show represents national identity from how it is used in The Piano. In sum, through an understanding of identity theory and New Zealand culture, we can develop a better understanding of the directors’ use of national identity in the films The Piano, and The Truman Show.   National identity is depicted in The Piano through its cultural connotations, historical representation, and it authenticity to social norms. Despite all of its awards, the films inability to stay true to the ethnic history of the town is proof that it attempts to mold national identity through its filmic ideals.   The directors pick and chose the ideology they identify with and disregard the other aspect of New Zealand culture.   Whereas The Truman Show does not attempt to shape the national culture of New Zealand, it is virtually unidentifiable as a New Zealand film, except for the fact that is written by a New Zealander. What the film contributes to national identity is its use of the theories backing it, and its own underlying message on the nature of the conflict. What the film reveals about national identity is its dependency on the narrative of a film.   The ironic fact is that it does this through its own abuse of the power.   Truman represents everyman against the crowd.   The complex world he interacts with is very similar to the real world, only in his world he really is the center of attention.   The most intimate aspects of an individual’s life, like marriage, personal goals and beliefs are all a product of a false reality. This concept is very similar to Freudian theory, Marxist theory, biblical references and even many science fiction narratives.   What the films reveals about national identity is its core nature.   The entire town operates in one direction and for one purpose.   Truman is the only one who is unaware of this purpose, but he still seems to follow along contributing to what he feels is the best interest of the group.   His desires are compatible with his nation’s desires, until he breaks free from this methodology of control.   Both of these films interact with national identity theory; both are products of New Zealander culture, and both are great films. Work Cited Adorno, Theodor W. and Max Horkheimer. Dialectic of Enlightenment: Philosophical Fragments. 1947. Trans. Edmund Jephcott. Stanford: Stanford UP, 2002. Chatman, Seymour (1978) Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press). Cheshire, Ellen. Jane Campion. Great Britain: Pocket Essentials, 2000. Eric Young (Executive Producer). (1998). â€Å"How's It Going To End? The Making of The Truman Show, Part II† [DVD (Special Feature)]. Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment. Girard, Renà ©. Deceit, Desire, and the Novel: Self and Other in Literary Structure. Trans. Yvonne Freccero. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins UP, 1965. Helen Martin and Sam Edwards, New Zealand Film, 1912-1996. Auckland: Oxford University Press, 1997. vi+215 pp. Illustrations, bibliography, index. Kaufman, Cynthia. â€Å"Colonialism, Purity, and Resistance in The Piano.† Socialist Review 24 (1995): 251-55. Sanes, Ken. Truman as Archetype. Transparencynow.com. 1996-2001. 29 July 2004. . Slavin, John (2002) Lost causes : the ideology of national identity in Australian cinema. PhD thesis, Department of English, University of Melbourne. The Piano. (2007, January 18). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:37, January 22, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Piano&oldid=101515698 The Truman Show. (2007, January 19). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:33, January 22, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Truman_Show&oldid=101870034 The Truman Show (1998) Directed by Peter Weir, screenplay by Andrew Niccol (Hollywood, CA: Paramount).

Critical Comparison of Two Frost Poems Essay

Frost attempts to bring to the reader his character ‘s experiences with the world. The thoughts of the character are limited to his immediate surroundings but through the poet ‘s careful pick out of words they echo to the reader ‘s own understanding, of the general concept of life and his world and his place. I will examine, two of Frost ‘s poems: The Road Not Taken, and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. I will, compare both poems by the effect of its words, sounds, and images and how this is significant and which effect does it have. The character in Frost ‘s poem The Road Not Taken has an immediate and acute interaction with his world as early as the first stanza. It manifests itself in the form of a crossroads , which for some time leaves the character agonizing for a choice . This contact is important : its existence signifies that life is not linear , and has not delineated a given path for an individual to take . They diverge into many , many roads , each with its own consequence and destination. The subsequent decision and step of Frost ‘s traveller opened up a multitude of implications of his interactions with the world . The traveller must have carefully studied and pondered over the better path or one that has more promise . His decision , in the end , was arbitrary Frost ‘s of the path ‘s grassy and wanted wear , on which stood the basis of his choice , was easily refuted by the line that followed : Had worn them really about the same . The poet gives no indication of difference nor anything striking that might impel his character from going to one path in preference to the other . He is then faced with this realization : no two paths are so similar that they can be mechanically compared . It echoes in a deeper understanding that in life , sometimes decisions are made without solid basis or moral certitude , and their value are just about the same – based on how the individual acts in his decision. Taking another look at the character ‘s sudden leap , we can offer another quiet observation : while he inspected one road To where it bent in the undergrowth , he took the other , as just as fair . We have already discovered that they were substantially the same path , and of the same quality . If we take a short look at a later stanza , we would see that Frost ‘s character had meant to save that way for another time ( Oh , I kept the first for another day . This thought , and the subsequent decision , stemmed primarily from the seeming grassy and wanted wear claim of one path. One important gem of thought to be found here is that in life , there are no absolute , predictable moments . Man was moulded with freedom of thought , will and choice . He is a dynamic being , and subject to capricious whims and moments of spontaneity . It is this freedom , in fact , that keeps him from being ensnared in stasis , and indecision He may act without apparent logical basis , and he need not even do so We are given another gem, in this spontaneous act : the traveller ‘s wilful act was rooted in a desire to break from routine . It was as if some inner desire impelled him to shy away from the normalcy of everyday life . This , to him , was a proud moment ( I took the one less travelled by that has made all the difference . His realization of its value elucidates the fact that Man should not entrap himself in cycles and routines , for there was a world out there that wanted wear , and has yet to be discovered. This act becomes that milestone in a person ‘s life where he becomes aware of his world , and how this one small action has a hundredfold meaning . It is not , however , altogether complete – though he has made the profound discovery of the meaning of his one choice , and its inherent great value , he is also made painfully aware of his humanity His regrets throughout the poem ( sorry I could not travel both . I doubted if I should ever come back , as well as the wistfulness of the title itself ( The Road Not Taken ) are at the heart of every human desire . Men are inherently imperfect , and cannot absorb the infinitesimal of the universe , much less all of the world ‘s experiences It is a bittersweet afterthought that how way leads on to way ‘ there was no going back to the original route . One is reminded at this juncture of the wise counsel of Ignatius of Loyola , that once a choice has been made and made irreversibly , then one should not fret over its being unmade : We can change its effects , but the act of choosing is over and done with.

Qualifications and selection process for judges Essay

Qualifications and selection process for judges - Essay Example Each court has its own function. A judge must have studied law and must not be aged above 70. Judge for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Common Pleas must have practiced law for at least a period of six years. Ohio judges can be removed in the following three ways: A complaint against a judge can be conveyed to the Disciplinary Council or Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline; both can authorize an investigation against the alleged judge. If there is considerable evidence against the judge and two-third members of the board support the complaint, the Supreme Court establishes a commission of five judges to decide the verdict (American Judicature Society). The alleged judge may be retired, removed or warranted. South Carolina’s judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the Circuit Court. There are numerous other trial courts with restricted authority such as Family Court, Administrative Law Court, Probate, Equity, and Municipal Courts. The members of these courts are elected by joint public vote of the General Assembly. Judicial Merit Selection Commission makes screens the candidates and makes sure that they meet all the conditions required to become a particular judge. All candidates for Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Circuit Court must be U.S. citizens and should’ve lived in the State of South Carolina for at least five years. The candidate must be at least 32 years old and must not be older than 72 years. The candidate must have been a licensed attorney for at least 8 years prior to elections. If a complaint is registered at Judicial Conduct Commission, an investigation against the alleged judge is started. Supreme Court then appoints a Disciplinary Council which evaluates the complaint and makes a thorough investigation. If the findings of Disciplinary Council substantiate the complaint, a hearing is carried out and suggestions are passed to Supreme

MBA FOR managing operration and information Essay

MBA FOR managing operration and information - Essay Example A significant advantage of the three-tiered model is that the business processing is done on a centrally controlled machine. This provides for increased security and in some case makes it possible to change the business processing logic in the middleware without making changes to the client. Three-tiered architectures also provide better scalability and significant performance advantages for more complex applications, as MIT IS (2000) recommends. EPS includes one high-productive backend relational database server and a "middleware" server in each office, so number of "middleware" servers equals to six (the number of NHS offices). Communications between database server and "middleware" servers are provided via Internet using tunnelled TCP-IP channels. This technology provides high level of security and reliability and at the same time it allows to use widely spread Internet connections. "Middleware" server is an application server, which runs software providing business logic of EPS. Also the server maintains website of appropriate NHS’s office, so people can receive public information about prescriptions and their treatment history via Internet. Middleware server software also receives queries from client desktops from the NHS’s office, transfers them to database server and then delivers results of the queries to corresponding client desktop. There are a number of client desktops in each office connected to "middleware" server via client applications through local area network (LAN). In this way high-speed connection to the application server is achieved. Client software with appropriate user interface is launched on every client desktop. Doctors and patients can connect to the EPS through thin clients. A thin client is a computer (client) in client-server architecture networks, which has little or no application logic, so it has to depend primarily on the central server for processing activities. Therefore using standardized client software such

A Summary and Analysis of Peter Katel's Child Poverty Essay

A Summary and Analysis of Peter Katel's Child Poverty - Essay Example Considering that children are the most vulnerable age group, they receive much of the government’s attention and money. However, as welfare programs and monetary allocation seem insufficient in alleviating the condition of children, questions on whether increasing the budget to address poverty-related concerns arise. Relatively, investigations on the root cause of child poverty in America arise. Child poverty is one of the most controversial issues today because such a social disease has a tendency to give birth to a new generation of poor people. Consequently, the primary aim of this paper is to explore the issue of child poverty in American, taking primary concern on its cause, effects, and prospective solutions. To give a starting of the arguments presented in this paper, this paper studies the article â€Å"Child Poverty: Are Out-of-Wedlock Births the Root Cause?† written by Peter Katel. Primarily, the article investigates out-of-wedlock pregnancies as the root caus e of child poverty. Having read the article, I propose that although most out-of-wedlock pregnancies seem to cause child poverty, it is not the root cause of the issue. Instead, the inability of single parents to support their children is causing the augmenting rate of child poverty in America. Article Summary In the article, Peter Katel studies whether â€Å"out-of-wedlock† pregnancies cause child poverty in America. Throughout the article, the author cites the arguments of two US parties, the Liberals and Conservatives. In explaining the two sides, Katel (2011) mentions that the Liberals argue that the cause of child poverty is the inefficiency of the government to provide sustainable jobs to the people while the Conservatives defend that child poverty is a result of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and â€Å"parental behavior† (pp. 904-05). Further, the Liberals defend that the government should focus on developing the employable skills of parents and providing more jobs for the people while the Conservatives argue that, as the government has allocated enough funds for such programs, it is the responsibility and initiative of the people to use the programs available for them. Throughout the article, Katel cites different programs that elicit debate among the Liberals and Conservatives. Specifically, one of these programs include the Food Stamp Subsidies. Arloc Sherman, a researcher and critic at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said that the unemployment rate influences the budget allocation of food stamp subsidies; food stamp subsidies increase when â€Å"unemployment rate soared† (as cited in Katel, 2011, p. 906). In 2006, for instance, the government expenditure for food stamp subsidy increased by 82 %; this is also the time when the unemployment rate increased â€Å"from 4.7 % to 9.1%† (Katel, 2011, p. 906). In considering this issue, the Conservatives argue that the extensibility of the budget allocation is due to the i ncreasing demands of the people while the Liberals assert that the situation is due, primarily, to the unavailability of sustainable jobs. In this case, it is clear that unemployment causes the increasing demands of people. The inability of parents to support their children influences the worsening condition of children; children would have to live by the

Skills Of Scholar-Practitioners Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Skills Of Scholar-Practitioners - Assignment Example In order to perform the last stage, critical thinking, it is relevant to take part in coursework and writing, thus enabling me to become a connoisseur in my field. Academic writing enables me to better analyze and evaluate relevant information of my field and develop my personal critical reflections based on the latest developments in the modern researchers and studies. Professional communication is triggered once a person is able to identify relevant information for discussion, remember and understand it and further on discuss it with other scientists because the truth is born of arguments (Bell 2007, p. 55). With the help of modern technologies and the Internet web, it is possible to develop proficient searches in different fields. Online libraries and databases are fertile grounds for further improvements and scholar-practitioner skills’ application. In order to advance by basic and proficient skills of a scholar-practitioner, I am going to:1) Outline relevant databases for my research field;2) Evaluate and analyze information available from online and printed sources;3) Remember and understand it;4) Use smart think, the writing center, communicate with faculty members and colleagues for support. Moreover, in order to penetrate into depths of scholar-practitioner skills and information search strategies, I am going to go up the ladder of Paul and Elder’s six stages for developing a good habit of thought. Currently, I am at stage four: The Practicing thinker.

Strategic Choices at Toyota Corporation Assignment

Strategic Choices at Toyota Corporation - Assignment Example The company’s first truck design weighed one to one and a half ton after assembling. After the Second World War, other nations developed an interest in Toyota’s trucks due to their astounding efficiency during the war. Although they were low on speed, their involvement in the war was highly consequential in that they had eased mobility. This paper will take a broad look into the history and evolution of Toyota, the strategies it used to stay on top of the motor world and its recent strategic moves into making it the leading car brand in the World today. Toyota experienced remarkable growth during the post-war period as the United States encouraged them to venture into the manufacture of other locomotives other than those for war. Remarkably, their invention would later be used in the agricultural sector and above all in the public transport industry. As a result, this led to the designing of the Toyopet, which was one door minimized vehicle. After the withdrawn involvement of the U.S military, its production rose to two hundred and fifteen cars yearly. By the year 1965, Toyota automobile made six hundred thousand units per annum compared to eight thousands four hundred units in 1955. In its expansion process, Toyota designed a weapon carrier truck, the Land Cruiser, whose features resembled those of a jeep. On the contrary, its engine capacity was bigger than that of the Jeep by a slight margin. Its first comfort car, the Crown, emerged in 1955 with a four-power cylinder, half- liter engine capacity and a customized column shift. Th e Toyota Corona was the second luxury vehicle incepted into the Toyota stable whose manufacture growth per month increased to fifty thousand car units by 1964. Since that time, Toyota has continued to release remarkable brands into the world market. The SWOT analysis is the critical evaluation of the Strengths and Weaknesses from within an organization in relation to the external Opportunities and Threats essentially to determine its growth and development.  

Films and the American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Films and the American History - Essay Example From this paper it is clear that the United States of America under the presidency of George Bush had a major role in the Gulf War. In the movie, we see that Major Archie Gates and Chief Elgin cannot believe what the inhabitants go, though. They find out that the government incited the citizens to fight the rule of Saddam Hussein with a promise to support them. They later find out that the government did not give them the support they promised. The United States government is highly involved in the business in the Middle East. The new evidence of nonsupport from the government makes them think deeply about their role in the fight.As the discussion stresses the movie shows the weakness of the American president because the directors show the affair between Bill and Monica. The relationship is a depiction of real life events that occur in the real-time events. Historically, the United States and Britain fought each other during the American Revolution. On the other hand, during the Wor ld War, the nations were strong allies and the United States protects Britain. In addition to the World War, the two nations were strong allies during the Cold War and Gulf War. There are moments historically when the only superpower country to give United States support in the Iraq war was Britain.  The relationship the two countries are strong, and both leaders work towards a general goal. The wives of both leaders also have a strong relationship showing that there is a special kind of relationship.

OUTLINE Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

OUTLINE - Research Paper Example This paper aims to analyze the fundamental elements of communication, the effect of self-concept, perceptions, listening habits, language differences and non-verbal elements on communication. Furthermore this paper ends up creating a discussion on personal methods to resolve the communication barriers and strategies to promote healthy interpersonal communication and relationships. II. Main Points A. Elements of Communication Process and their Importance 1. A brief intro to the elements and their relevant importance in the communication process 2. Factors affecting Communication Process B. Role of Self-Concept and Perception in Communication 1. Self-Concept and Perception with definition 2. The positive and negative impacts on communication C. Non-Verbal elements 1. The effects of non-verbal elements on Communication 2. The evaluation of environment, noise and other distractions on Communication D. Language Differences & Listening Skills 1. The effects of language differences and list ening skills on communication patterns 2. Impacts of these elements on communication effectiveness E. Resolving Communication Barriers 1. Personal Methods to resolve barriers 2.

Are attitudes, policies and procedures for dealing with female Essay

Are attitudes, policies and procedures for dealing with female offenders difficult to justify when compared with their male counterparts - Essay Example In line with this, this research will answer the question ‘Are the attitudes, policies and procedures for dealing with female offenders difficult to justify when compared with their male counter parts?’ the methodology employed in order to address this question is documentary research. The study, utilising the documentary research methodology, relied on using secondary data collected from various scholarly literatures written about female offenders, UK Case Laws, crimes, and legislation. In the documentary analysis undertaken, the answer to the primary question is NO. It is not difficult to justify. This answer to the question is supported by the following suppositions: 1. Justice is impartial. The gender and sex of the offender is immaterial in the resolution of the case 2. There is a need to redefine the court system in such a way that it will accommodate female offenders and workers in the justice system 3. There is a need for restructuring of the justice system. 4. Reformation in the justice system 5. Training among the workers on treatment of female offenders. The notion of women committing crimes have been considered as a deviancy from the cultural image and gendered expectations that society has of women.1 Being such, traditional theories pertinent to female delinquency and female offending have been focused on how women are biological destined in committing crimes or by explaining it away via citing pathological explanations that confound the criminal act. Recognizing the importance of these views as necessary in understanding the criminal behaviour of women, does not preclude the fact that women ‘do’ commit crimes and that there are factors and explanations behind their criminal acts and not simply because of their gender or sexuality.2 Although Table 1 shows that compared with men, women commit less crimes but it does not show the fact that there is an increase in the number

Effective emerging leader Essay Example for Free

Effective emerging leader Essay It is very important for an effective emerging leader such as me, to become stronger in a stimulating, educationally-rich environment. To become great, a student leader must have many great examples of leadership, teaching and truth. The University of South Florida embodies all of these traits for me, and that is why this university appeals to me in every way. I have had the opportunity not only to practice leadership in middle school as the student body President, but also be the Relay for Life Captain for three years, Yearbook Club Editor, Cross Country Captain and senior Student Government President to finish my high school years. Another advantage I have is the fact that my Aunt Graduated from USF and my mother will be attending USFs School of Education in a couple of years. My Aunt has introduced me to the campus, and through her I have heard about the awesome opportunities and great times that await me. Leadership has always been the role I was meant to assume and effective degree-holding leaders are crucial in our fast paced, ever evolving world. I believe The University of South Florida will teach me how to become such a leader with its world class faculty and all the opportunities Greek life and volunteering affords. In conclusion, leadership traits I have learned from experience, mentors and teachers over the years will truly benefit my USF life and other USF Bulls as well! Whether it is through volunteer opportunities such as Relay for Life, or running for a position on the student Senate, I intend to be a very effective leader at the University of South Florida and leave an everlasting mark of greatness on its campus.

Financial System and Formal Credit Services in Vietnam

Financial System and Formal Credit Services in Vietnam An overview of the Vietnamese financial system Over a 4-year period from 1988 to 1992, the Vietnamese government have initiated a wide ranges of economic reforms in order to enhance the transition itself from a centrally-planned to a market-oriented economy. Along with the implementation of state enterprise reforms and external trade liberalization, the Vietnamese government have promoted a huge number of banking sector reforms, which has resulted into a diversification of the financial system. First, a Soviet-style mono banking system has switched to a two-tier banking system in 1988s with the four sector-specialised state-owned banks separated from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and playing a key role in the banking system. These four state-owned banks include the Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank), the Vietnam Bank for Industry and Trade (Vietinbank), Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (VBARD) and the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV). The SBV acts as the central bank, providin g both on-site and off-site inspection and supervising the operations of both banks and non-bank financial institutions. The public banking sector is comprised of the five state-owned commercial banks which altogether dominates the market. Second, the Vietnamese government also encouraged and created various opportunities for the influx of new players into the financial sector. These newcomers consisted of foreign banks, non-bank financial institutions such as insurance companies, join-stock commercial banks, join-venture banks, even credit funds and cooperatives. In addition, this policy has led to a dramatic rise in the quantities of branches and representative offices of existing state-owned commercial banks at that period. Bank for Foreign Trade, for example, has totalled 32 municipal and provincial branches (World Bank 2002). The branch network of the banking sector totally covers nearly 10,000 wards and communes throughout the nation. The economic reform process has, additionally, brought about the marked transformation in agriculture production sector. The presence of private family farms and non-farm enterprises in rural sites has increased pressures on the government for the establishment of credit institutions. Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (VBARD) and Vietnam Bank for Social Policy (VBSP) has then become the dominant financial service providers to the low-income population, and used the extensive network of political mass organizations to mobilize, appraise, and monitor clients (BWTP 2008). Like many other developing countries, Vietnamese credit markets is the coexistence of formal and informal credit markets. In general, rural financial system in Vietnam can be grouped into three main categories: formal sector, semi-formal sector and informal sector (Marsh et al. 2004; Lan and An 2005). The formal sector includes Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (VBARD), Vietnam Bank for Social Policy (VBSP) and People Credit Funds (PCFs) (World Bank, 2002). Semi-formal credit is provided by the National and International programs targeting at a selective range of borrowers and conforming to certain development targets (Pham and Lensink, 2007), and by Microfinance Programs of Mass Organizsations as well as by Savings and Credit Schemes supported by NGO and donors. The informal sector consists of private moneylenders, revolving credit associations (RCA), relatives, friends and other individuals. The informal sector has been the traditional provider of credit in rural a reas, as the result of an underdeveloped formal credit market (Marsh et al. 2004). In programs towards poor and vulnerable households, the Vietnamese Government included credit provision through microfinance institutions (MFIs) in their anti-poverty programs for the rural areas (Commins et al., 2001). These are programs focusing on female clientele who often join in groups, providing small loans for them to invest in income-generating activities (Armendariz and Morduch, 2005). The expected outcome is that rural female entrepreneurs can cope better with emergencies such as unfavorable natural events or be protected from further impoverishment during economic stress (Rutherford, 2002). The formal sector has been the key credit provider in the Vietnamese rural credit market, in which VBARD and VBSP are both the dominant. VBARD has the largest percentage of outstanding loans in the year 2010, accounting for 63%, followed by VBSP at 30%. The third position belongs to PCFs, at 6%. In contrast, microfinance institutions occupies merely 1% of outstanding loans. Figure: Percentage of outstanding loans of main sourcesto household borrowers Source: (PCFs 2010; VBARD 2010; VBSP 2010; Mix Market 2012) Source: Microfinance Resource Centre (2001) Regulations regarding banks With the aim of improving the provision of credit for individuals, households and firms in need and enhancing the effectiveness as well as the soundness of credit providing institutions, the Vietnamese government has promulgated a wide range of regulations on banking operations. These laws set numerous regulations for credit products offered, as well as for activities of credit institutions, ranging from capital norms, restrictions on asset/liability management and limits on credit institutions’ investment in real estate. In 2010, the government has issued the Decree No.41/2010/ND-CP on a wide range of credit policies aimed at agricultural and rural development. First, credit institutions should, under the decree, be encouraged to provide their credit services for rural areas with appropriate interest rates, in accordance with commercial lending mechanism. Second, lending procedures should be simplified, facilitating rural borrowers to get access to loans. Moreover, assistance policies for rural borrowers should also be built up so as to curb expected risks, say, natural disasters, earthquakes or epidemics. Third, the decree will operate as a legal framework for the political system and the whole society in the enhancement of the lending provision for the agricultural and rural development. Interest rate policy Interest rate policy is among crucial policies for the reform of banking sector regulated by The Law on Banks and Credit Institutions. Since 2000, the government has gradually liberalised interest rates. And it is the liberalization of the interest rate that gives financial institutions a little more freedom in determining the rates on lending and saving (WB, 2002). The replacement of the base interest rate mechanism plus margins for the ceiling mechanism regarding the domestic currency-based lending has then been applied for all formal financial institutions. Both base lending rate and margin, under this mechanism, acts as limits for the lending rate requirements of the banks. This new mechanism provides adequate flexibility to credit institutions and should help to enhance firms’ access to credit (IMF, 2002a). Furthermore, the Vietnamese government has also undertaken the regulation for the difference between lending rates and saving rates. According to this regulation, this spread cannot exceed 0.3% and 0.5% per month for short-term loans and medium-term and long-term loans respectively, which has in turn discouraged rural financial institutions from extending small loans to the rural poor and low-income households, given the high transaction costs for small loans (Dao, 2002). Lending technology In Vietnam, there are two prevailing lending methods namely individual lending and group lending. As shown in the table below, group lending has become more popular than individual lending, with the proportions for the year 1995, 1998 and 2001 standing at 98.1%, 92.1% and 87.6% respectively. Meanwhile, the percentages for individual lending method was much lower between 1995 and 2001. While individual lending technology typically focuses on the role of monitoring each individual borrower, the mechanism for group lending technology relies on the enforcement of joint liability of joining members. Generally, lending technologies can be distinguished based on different dimensions such as the primary source of information, screening and underwriting policies/procedures, structure of the loan contracts, and monitoring strategies and mechanisms (Berger and Udell 2006, hereafter BU06). Source: McCarty (2001) Collateral Under Decree No.41/2010/ND-CP, the mechanism of collateral for loans has been regulated as follows: First, credit institutions may take the provision of loans to customers with or without security assets into consideration under current regulations. Second, collateral-without lending conditions, procedures, and loan amounts must be in compliance with current provisions of law on credit institutions’ provision of loans to borrowers. For individuals and households engaged in agriculture, forestry, fishery or salt production, the amount of loan can total up to 50 million VND, whereas the figure for households operating business or production activities or providing services for agriculture and rural areas is up to 200 million VND. And up to 500 million VND for cooperatives and farm owners. Third, credit institutions consider providing trust-reliant loans for individuals and households on the basis of guarantee by sociopolitical organizations in rural areas under current regulatio ns. Sociopolitical organizations have responsibility of coordinating and performing all or some of the credit operation stages after reaching agreement with the lending credit institutions. In reality, collateral is regarded as one of mandatory requirements for loans by formal credit institutions. Credit institutions often ask for collateral from borrowers in order to ensure the probability of loan repayment, as well as reduce the asymmetric information between borrower and formal lender. The asymmetric information occurs since most of the banks stay far away from potential rural borrowers, and they find it difficult to acquire previous credit history information as well as current production/business information about those borrowers. In such a case, collateral requirements are given so as to mitigate these problems. Collateral is usually in the form of immovable assets such as land use certificates, buildings, fixed assets, bank accounts, and other valuable assets, in which land use certificates and real estate are the most preferred collateral by banks. In rural areas, there has been a small number of households that have met the collateral requirements imposed by fo rmal financial institutions, whereas a markedly bigger number of rural borrowers have faced the lack of of collateral for their loans. This has, in turn, confined rural borrowers from having access to loans from formal credit institutions. In such cases, these rural borrowers have to search for other credit providers that do not require collateral, say, private moneylenders, friends, or neighbours which all belong to the informal sector. Therefore, giving households the possibility to obtain land-use rights and use them as proof of collateral can give rise to the asymmetric information alleviation between borrower and formal credit lender, thus fostering credit transactions in rural credit markets accordingly. The formal sector Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (VBARD) Established in 1998 along with the the intense reform of the financial system and the reintroduction of commercial banks in Vietnam, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (VBARD) has been regarded as a state policy bank and received subsidy from the Vietnamese government. VBARD has also been known as a legal entity with the sharp focus on the agriculture sector and rural areas. By the end of 2001, VBARD has become among leading commercial banks in Vietnam, having the most extensive branch network in Vietnamese rural areas. The bank then had an operating network of more than 2,300 branches and transaction offices nationwide at the end of 2010. There are the three following credit methodologies that VBARD has utilized for its lending operations. The first methodology is the the provision of individual loans for rural borrowers and enterprises. The mandatory requirement for this loan type is a proof of collateral, in which a land use certificate the so called â€Å"Red Book† for agricultural land or â€Å"Green Book† for forest land is the most widely used. Second, VBARD has also applied group lending mechanism in order to increase its coverage of rural households, as well as to reduce transaction costs associated with small loan collection. According to this method, each member of lending group bears equally the joint responsibility of loan repayment before a new round of loans is initiated. The eventual methodology involves the existence of guarantee groups formed by members of mass organizations, say, Vietnamese Women’s Union, Farmer’s Union or Youth’s Union in lending process. These m ass organizations play an important role in guaranteeing the loan repayment, and loans offered by VBARD are then channed through these groups to the target borrowers who are mainly unable to provide a proof of collateral. VBARD specializes in lending to rural households and small-scale enterprises involved in agriculture or off-farm enterprises, but the bank has recently expanded its urban branch network to capture the market of urban small enterprises (BWTP 2008). The outstanding loans granted by VBARD to the economy totalled up to 414,755 billion VND in the year 2010. While the percentage of loans for households accounted for 51%, the figure for non state-owned company was 43%. The proportions of loans supplied to state-owned company and to small cooperative enterprises were considerably lower, at 5% and 1% respectively. Figure. Outstanding loans of VBARD by sector Source: VBARD (2010) The flow chart 1 indicates the credit procedures adopted by VBARD. It is clear that there are thirteen distinct stages in the process of loan provision, beginning with the collection of loan application forms by bank officials and ending with the delivery of appropriate loans to the borrower. Chart 1: Lending procedures by VBARD in Vietnam Notes: 1. Bank officials receive loan application forms from the applicant; 2. After receiving loan application forms, bank officials report to the head of the credit department; 3. The head of the credit department assigns a bank official to examine the loan application forms to see if it is filled in properly; 4. The assigned bank official appraises the applicant, mainly based on collateral; 5. The assigned bank official informs the head of the credit department about the applicant; 6. The head of the credit department assesses the information and reports it to the director of the bank; 7. Director of the bank decides on the loan and informs the head of the credit department; 8. The head of credit department informs the assigned bank official about the decision; 9. The assigned bank officer informs the applicant; 10, 11, 12. Internal information among the bank’s specialized departments; 13. The treasury department disburses loans to the applicant, if accepted. Source: Adapted from Ninh (2003) Vietnam Bank for Social Policy (VBSP) The Vietnam Bank for Social Policies was established under Premier’s Decision No. 131/2002 QD-TTg dated October 4th, 2002 and the Government’s Decree No. 78/ND-CP dated October 4th, 2002 on the provision of credit for the poor and other policy beneficiaries. VBSP was set up on the basis of the reorganization of the Bank for the Poor and separated from VBARD with the aim of detaching the lending policy mechanism from the commercial lending mechanism. Since then, VBSP has developed its own network of 610 branches in 63 provinces/cities throughout the country and has extended loans to 46% of the poor in rural and mountainous areas (GSO Report on the results of VHLSS 2006). VBSP’s operations are under the supervision of the State Bank of Vietnam, whose the primary objective is to provide non-collateralized preferential loans of different rates and maturities to poor individuals, households, and organizations eligible for social benefits and policies. VBSP is conducting the method of entrusted lending via the four mass organizations, namely Women Union of Vietnam, Farmer Union of Vietnam, War Veteran Union of Vietnam and Youth Union of Vietnam. These four organizations take charge of some lending steps of VBSP such as establishing savings and credit groups; organizing certifying poor households, supervising borrowers in using loans properly etc, whereas VBSP has responsibility for conducting loan disbursement, loan collection and safe treasury management. The credit programs provided by VBSP has become increasingly diversified and appropriate with different borrowers. First, for the purpose of the implementation of the National Target Program on Hunger Eradication and Poverty Elimination initiated in 1988s, VBSP has established credit programs particularly targeting at poor households living in rural areas. The second customer group of VBSP is university/college students whose families are ranked as poor households at the commune level or village level. The objective of this lending is to support financially for those students in order that they have opportunities to fulfill their study. The third credit program of VBSP is for households living in disadvantaged and remote areas where there is very poor infrastructure or challenging climate conditions. The fourth credit program involves an implementation of the national strategy on clean water supply and environmental sanitation in rural areas for living conditions improvement, and the target customers are still poor households in rural places. Fifth, VBSP also builds up credit programs for job creation aimed at poor households and small business enterprises. Apart from credit programs listed above, there are still other various programs supporting for poor households in rural areas. The table below gives a comparison in terms of the percentages of outstanding loans allocated by VBSP for numerous credit programs between 2004 and 2010. It is evident that credit programs for production and business of poor households made up the largest percentage in both years, with 82% in 2004 and 40% in 2010. The second largest in 2010, which occupied 29% of the total outstanding loans, was credit programs for education. In contrast, that for migrant workers to go abroad accounted for only 1%. Table: The proportions of outstanding loans by credit programs. Source: (VBSP 2004; VBSP 2010) In regard to the loan interest rate, in 2013, the annual lending interest rate of the market was 10.8%, while the figure for VBSP was merely 6.0%. That means VBSP subsidized 4.8% of the lending interest rate for the poor (World Bank 2004). Since the decision No. 579/QÄ -TTg dated May 6, 2009 on the support of the lending interest rate for VBSP’s loans was issued, the annual interest rate on loans for agricultural production and off-farm jobs reduced by 5%, from 7.8% to 3.8%, while that of the market was standing at 10.5% on average. By late 2010, VBSP’s total outstanding loans mounted to 89,461 billion VND, 14 times higher compared to that in 2001. People’s Credit Funds (PCFs) People’s Credit Funds were established in 1993 after the collapse of rural credit cooperatives. According to Hung (1998), PCFs were constructed on the model of the Caisse Populaire system in Quebec, Canada, with the technical support from the Development International Desjardins (DID). PCFs were funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and supervised by the State Bank of Vietnam.

Sewage Treatment Essays -- essays research papers

Sewage Treatment Where does the wastewater go? When water goes down your sink or toilet, it travels through small pipes to much larger trunk sewers. The sewer systems are built to the slope of the ground around the Elbow and Bow Rivers. This slope allows most of the waste to go down by gravity, rather than expensive pumps, to one of four plants. To handle low areas, which do not have enough slope, pumping stations have been made. How is wastewater treated? Wastewater treatment in Calgary involves the following processes: Preliminary treatment: The water flow is slowed down to get the sand, gravel and other materials to settle out into grit tanks. The waste is then strained by bar screens, which remove large solid objects like sticks. All material collected by grit tanks and bar screens is washed and then taken to a landfill. Primary treatment: The screened water flows into settling tanks, allowing more solids to settle to the bottom of the tanks. Also at this stage, "scum" (oils and greases) are scraped off the top of the water. This is pumped to large tanks, for disposal. Secondary treatment: The half treated water then goes by gravity to covered aeration tanks where it is mixed with "activated sludge" which contains aerobic bacteria. The bacteria eat the organic things remaining in the water. In order to provide a good environment for the bacteria to multiply, air is pumped and spread into the water by blowers. The water, air and ...

Diffusion Essay -- essays research papers

Lab Report #1: Diffusion Introduction: The human body undergoes a variety of processes throughout each and every day in order to sustain life. Tasks such as walking, breathing, and digesting what has been eaten are sometimes considered mundane, even taken for granted. One such process that is necessary to maintain life is diffusion. Diffusion is a key factor in moving ions, fuels, and other molecules into and out of the blood. It is one of the most important components in supplying oxygen to the alveoli and removing carbon dioxide. Without diffusion, substances would find it very difficult to pass through membranes and could cause detrimental effects to the human body. The paradox scientists have drawn is related to glucose molecules and the directions in which the molecules â€Å"know† to move. No single molecule should diffuse in any particular fashion, but should diffuse randomly. This report looks at four simulations attempting to solve the problem presented, how do the molecules know which way to diffuse? In order to understand the obtained research, it is necessary to present and identify the key components of Fick’s Law of Diffusion: F = -D * A*dC/dx F = the flow of material across a real or imaginary plane D = the diffusivity of the diffusing molecules (the ease in which the molecule diffuses in the surrounding medium)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A= area of the plane   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  C= concentration of the molecules   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  X= distance   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  dC/dx = the concentration gradient There will be four simulations conducted in order to apply Fick’s Law and determine if molecules do in fact know which way to diffuse. The first simulation will look at a single molecule in an open area, the second looks at the movement of several molecules, the third looks at molecules diffusing in a ... ...te the change in concentration with respect to the change in distance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In Simulation 4 we have two chambers connected with a pipe. Like simulation 2, the concentration of molecules across the whole system at equilibrium is equally distributed. If the dimensions of the pipe were small and narrow, only a small percentage of the molecules will be contained in the pipe at equilibrium. The flow of molecules to the right chamber would decrease. The calculation of the rate of approach to equilibrium in simulation 2 cannot be applied here because we have a pipe of a different volume that alters the flow. As the figure above depicts, the rate of approach to equilibrium increase as the diameter of the pipe increases. However the rate of approach will not increase infinitely but will plateau as some point because the diameter of the pipe can only be so large to connect the boxes. Accordingly, increasing the length of the pipe will slower the rate of approach to equilibrium because the molecules will have to travel a greater distance. References â€Å"Diffusion- Simulation of randomly moving particles† WebCT. Drexel University. April 2005

Use of Aphorisms in Steinbecks The Winter of Our Discontent :: essays research papers

In John Steinbeck’s classic novel The Winter of Our Discontent, one can find many general truths and principles, also known as aphorisms. Ethan Allen Hawley, the main character, seems to gift the reader with another aphorism at the turn of every page, but some of these sayings may be considered more remarkable than others. One of the more noteworthy aphorisms is a statement made by Ethan at the end of chapter 6: â€Å"To be alive at all is to have scars†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While this may not be the theme that Steinbeck concentrates on the most, it is surely one of the most important. Ethan is the most prominent example of this, as he has suffered many misfortunes in his life. Every other mature character in the book also carries these emotional scars; scars on one’s morality, character, and soul. Perhaps what the author was trying to convey is that from the moment one is born, one knows pain and suffering. However, many of these wounds heal with time, and become the scars of the past. Ethan compares the scars that his lack of morality will bring to the scars that his failure has produced, but the truth is that these are not scars at all, but injuries that time will not heal, and conscience will only make worse. His wounds will never mend, they will weigh down on him until drastic measures must be taken to escape the constant reminders of what he has done. Ethan considers and then nearly commits suicide, but he realizes that n o matter what he has done, his daughter needs him above anything else. So he must go on living, scar after scar becoming layers upon layers of discontent on his heart.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Every human being on earth accumulates scars of this nature. From errors made in the past come forth blemishes on the soul that serve as permanent reminders of one’s mistakes, and the scars provide maps to roads not to be taken again.

Advantage of Music Essay

Advantages of music Affecting the brain waves According to studies it has been proven that your brainwaves can get stimulated with strong beats. The stimulation takes place to resonate in sync with the beat. Sharp  beats ensure sharp concentration and it can help you attain a meditative and calm state. Music and your heart rate: Due to alternations taking place in brainwaves, other bodily functions also get affected. Functions like heart rate and breathing that are controlled by the autonomic nervous system can be altered with music. Mozart effect The skills you learn through music get transferred to your communication skills, study skills and cognitive skills. According to a Harvard University study, the spatial-temporal reasoning gets enhanced when children start learning music. Such reasoning tends to improve in a temporary manner when an adult listens to a particular type of music. This study was named as the â€Å"Mozart effect† and it suggested that spatial reasoning and music have a neurological and psychological connection. Other Advantages Music therapy  is an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses music and all of its facets—physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual—to help clients to improve or maintain their health. In some instances, the client’s needs are addressed directly through music; in others they are addressed through the relationships that develop between the client and therapist. Music therapy is used with individuals of all ages and with a variety of conditions, including: psychiatric disorders, medical problems, physical handicaps, sensory impairments, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, communication disorders, interpersonal problems, and aging. It is also used to: improve learning, build self-esteem, reduce stress,  support physical exercise, and facilitate a host of other health-related activities. Music Genera A  music genre  is a categorical and typological construct that identifies  musical  sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music

H.G. Wells’ View of Race Essay

In the assigned reading about and by H. G. Wells there is little to indicate that he is a racist. In the two short stories Wells has the narrator refer to African natives as â€Å"heathens† in â€Å"Aepyornis Islands and as â€Å"niggers† in â€Å"Jimmy Goggles the God. † Likewise in the assigned sections of the of book Tono-Bungay, the narrator refers to niggers. By today’s standards such words are often automatically assumed to be a sign of bigotry against a race, and if they were written today they might very well indicate such a tendency. However at the time when Wells wrote, political correctness had not reared its ugly head and people, particularly English people describing the natives of Africa as â€Å"niggers. † This was the word used. It was not necessary a deprecating term, it was â€Å"the† term. When Wells uses the word he is conforming to the vernacular of the day. This is not to say that there isn’t something of an elitist attitude in the characters Wells created. There seems to be three things that Wells consistently lampoons: the Christian religion, the ignorance of people of all sorts, and the superior, toffee-nosed attitude of the English. Wells was a writer of satire. He pokes fun at religion both when he describes the readiness of the natives to consider him a god in â€Å"Jimmy Goggles the God† as well as enjoying the playing of a practical joke on the missionary to embarrass him in front of the villagers. He clearly dislikes ignorance, particularly those people who foolishly pontificate on things they know nothing about such as the orchids and the aepyornis, and the case of Dawson v. Butcher. Lastly he enjoys satirizing the overly self-important attitude of English men who go into the jungle and expect this to be just they he expected them to be when he was sitting back in his private club in London. It is as if anything that is not English is improper and is only tolerated because the standards of the people in such places as the jungle are embarrassingly low and likely to stay that way. In Tono-Bungay Wells lets the narrator tell his story of a trip into the jungle where a man came from a village and â€Å"hailed us in and unknown tongue† (emphasis mine). He did not say it was a language he did not speak, but because it was not Oxbridge English, it was â€Å"unknown. † Interestingly, because Wells sees fit to make fun of such a superior attitude, one cannot help but wonder if he is not poking fun at himself at the same time because of his attitude toward members of these groups of people.

American and North Vietnamese Perception of War

Austin Beeler American and North Vietnamese Perceptions of War To the American Soldiers and the NVA/VC soldiers, the Vietnam War was both very similar and very different. Most of soldiers in Vietnam went into the war with a purpose, and they had a very high morale levels. Both the Americans and the NVA soldiers left with many problems. The war left most soldiers with very severe cases of mental issues. There were also many things about the war that differed to the soldiers. One was the type of patriotism, and the other was the consequences of choosing to not fight.The American soldiers were fighting with a different type of patriotism than the communist soldiers. The Vietnamese soldiers were fighting for their freedom and to protect their homeland. The Americans were fighting for their government. They went into the war completely trusting their government no matter what they thought about the conflict. The war left both sides with huge wounds that would take a long time to heal. The American soldiers left for Vietnam knowing that they have been the victors in all of the other wars and conflicts they have been in.The morale among the soldiers was high at the beginning of the war. The Vietnamese soldiers had very high morale after beating the French in 1954. One American soldier wrote a letter to his fiance that was supposed to be given to her in the unfortunate event of his death. He told his fiance that he is proud that he was even able to fight for his country, and even though the war has taken his life, he wishes that she doesn’t hate the war because of it. The soldiers that were first sent over seas were proud of what they were doing.They believed in their country and they believed that the people back home would have their back. The Vietnamese soldiers had been victorious in beating the French empire just years before the American soldiers arrived. They were in high spirits and it gave them a sense of invincibility because they just defeated a huge power. The Vietnamese soldiers were fighting for their homeland. They saw the Americans as another colonial power that was trying to move in and take control again. The soldiers knew that they could navigate the land much better than the Americans and they carefully planned their attacks.Both of the sides were patriotic, but they were patriotic in different ways. The American soldiers were patriotic in the sense of they were serving for their government and their country. They were fighting because the government told them that they need to be over there stopping the spread of communism. For the Americans it was about making their country proud. The North Vietnamese soldiers were patriotic in a completely different sense. They were fighting for their freedom. They thought that if they didn’t fight, then they would be put back down to a lower level than the Americans.Just like the French had done to them when they were in control. The soldiers were fighting to protect their fa milies back north and to save their land. They had an obvious purpose to fight, while the Americans couldn’t see how the war affected them back home. Both the Americans and the North Vietnamese soldiers left the war affected deeply. Many soldiers returned to their homes and they were severely affected by PTSD. In the book, Kein has nightmares every night that he tries to sleep. That includes the nights he was in the military, and the nights after the war was over.Kein was talking to one of this soldiers and he said â€Å"their chaotic minds, their troubled speech, revealed how cruelly they were twisted and tortured by the war†(20). The NVA soldiers watched thousands of their fellow soldiers die right beside them. Throughout the war, the NVA/VC lost over a million soldiers. Seeing that many people die affected the soldiers greatly. One of the soldiers in Keins battalion is severely depressed and is thinking about deserting the rest of the soldiers and heading home. Kein tells him its suicidal and shameful. Can saying â€Å"Suicidal? Killing myself?I’ve killed so often it wont mean a thing if I kill myself. As for the shame†¦ In all my time as a soldier, I’ve never seen anything honorable†, shows how desensitized the soldiers are. They don’t care about death anymore. Many of them embrace it because they know its coming. The American soldiers were just as scarred by the war. One of the soldiers that reflected on the war in 1984 basically said that depression kills you faster than a bullet to the head. It â€Å"eats away at you inner being. It eats away at everything that you ever learned (5). † The soldiers with depression didn’t get help from anyone.The only people they got help from were the psychiatrists they paid to go see. Both sides used drugs to help cope with the sorrows of war. The Vietnamese soldiers smoked the Rosa Canina flower, and the American soldiers smoked marijuana and used heroin. The drugs helped the soldiers deal with the depression of war. The war was a very tough place for both sides. Both countries had a very hard time recovering from the war, but the people who had to overcome the most were the soldiers. They went through so many things in war that they left Vietnam with â€Å"young shoulders that bore rather old heads (2). †

The Return: Midnight Chapter 40

But after an endless time in the soft, kind darkness, something was forcing Elena back up into light. Real light. Not the terrible green half-light of the Tree. Even through shut eyelids she could see it, feel its heat. A yel ow sun. Where was she? She couldn't remember. And she didn't care. Something was saying inside her that the gentle darkness was better. But then she remembered a name. Stefan. Stefan was†¦? Stefan was the one who†¦the one she loved. But he'd never understood that love was not singular. He'd never understood that she could be in love with Damon and that it would never change an atom's worth of her love for him. Or that his lack of understanding had been so wrenching and painful that she had felt torn into two different people at times. But now, even before she opened her eyes, she realized that she was drinking. She was drinking the blood of a vampire, and that vampire wasn't Stefan. There was something unique in this blood. It was deeper and spicier and more heavy, al at once. She couldn't help opening her eyes. For some reason she didn't understand, they flew open and she tried immediately to focus on the scent and feeling and color of whoever was bending over her, holding her. She couldn't understand, either, her sense of letdown when she slowly realized that it was Sage leaning over her, holding her gently but securely to his neck, with his bronze chest bare and warm from the sunlight. But she was lying down flat, on grass, from what her hands could feel†¦and for some reason her head was cold. Very cold. Cold and wet. She stopped drinking and tried to sit up. The light grip became firmer. She heard Sage's voice say, and felt the rumbling in his chest as he said it, â€Å"Ma pauvre petite, you must drink more in a moment or so. And your hair has Stillsome of the ashes in it.† Ashes? Ashes? Didn't you put ashes on your head for†¦now what had she been thinking about? It was as if there was a block in her mind, keeping her from getting close to†¦ something. But she wasn't going to be told what to do. Elena sat up. She was in – yes, she was very sure – the kitsune paradise, and until a moment ago her body had been arched back, so that her hair had been in the clear little stream that she had seen earlier. Stefan and Bonnie had been washing something pitch-black out of her hair. They both were smudged with black as well: Stefan had a big swath across one cheekbone, and Bonnie had faint gray streaks below her eyes. Crying. Bonnie had been crying. She was Stillcrying, in little sobs that she was trying to suppress. And now that Elena looked harder she could see that Stefan's eyelids were swol en and that he had been crying too. Elena's lips were numb. She fel back onto the grass, looking up at Sage, who was wiping his eyes furtively. Her throat ached, not just inside, where sobbing and gasping might make it hurt, but outside, too. She had a picture of herself slashing at her own neck with a knife. Through her numb lips, she whispered, â€Å"Am I a vampire?† â€Å"Pas encore,†Sage said unsteadily. â€Å"Not yet. But Stefan and I, we both had to give you massive amounts of blood. You must be very careful in the next days. You are right on the brink.† That explained how she felt. Probably Damon was hoping that she would become one, wicked boy. Instinctively, she held out her hand to Stefan. Maybe she could help him. â€Å"We just won't do anything for a little while,†she said. â€Å"You don't have to be sad.†But she herself Stillfelt very wrong. She hadn't felt this wrong since she'd seen Stefan in prison and had thought that he would die at any moment. No†¦it was worse†¦because with Stefan there had been hope and Elena had the feeling that now hope was gone. Everything was gone. She was hol ow: a girl who looked solid, but whose insides were missing. â€Å"I'm dying,†she whispered. â€Å"I know it†¦Are you al going to say good-bye now?† And with that Sage – Sage! – choked up and began to sob. Stefan, Stilllooking so oddly mussed, with those traces of soot on his face and arms and his hair and clothes soaking wet, said, â€Å"Elena, you're not going to die. Not unless you choose to.† She had never seen Stefan look like this before. Not even in prison. His flame, his inner fire that he showed to almost no one but Elena, had gone out. â€Å"Sage saved us,†he said, slowly careful y, as if it cost him great effort to speak. â€Å"The ash that was fal ing – you and Bonnie would have died if you'd had to breathe any more of it. But Sage put a door back to the Gatehouse right in front of us. I could barely see it; my eyes were so ful of ashfal , and it's only getting worse on that moon.† â€Å"Ashfal ,†Elena whispered. There was something at the bottom of her mind, but once again her memory failed her. It was almost as if she'd been Influenced to not remember. But that was ridiculous. â€Å"Why were ashes fal ing?†she asked, realizing that her voice was husky, hoarse – as if she'd cheered too long at a footbal game. â€Å"You used Wings of Destruction,†Stefan said steadily, looking at her with his swol en eyes. â€Å"You saved our lives. But you kil ed the Tree – and the star bal disintegrated.† Wings of Destruction. She must have lost her temper. And she'd kil ed a world. She was a murderer. And now the star bal was lost. Fel ‘s Church. Oh, God. What would Damon say to her? Elena had done everything – everything wrong. Bonnie was sobbing now, her face turned away. â€Å"I'm sorry,†Elena said, knowing how inadequate this was. For the first time she looked around miserably. â€Å"Damon?†she whispered. â€Å"He won't speak to me? Because of what I did?† Sage and Stefan looked at each other. Ice went down Elena's spine. She started to get up, but her legs weren't the legs she remembered. They wanted to unlock at the knees. She was staring down at herself, at her own wet and smudged clothes – and then something like mud came down her forehead. Mud or congealing blood. Bonnie made a sound. She was Stillsobbing, but she was speaking, too, in a new husky voice that made her sound much older. â€Å"Elena – we didn't get the ashes out of the top of your hair. Sage had to give you an emergency transfusion.† â€Å"I'l get the ashes out,†Elena said flatly. She let her knees bend. She fel onto them, jarring her body. Then, twisting, she leaned down to the little brook and let her head fal forward. Through the icy shock she could dimly hear exclamations from the people above water, and Stefan's sharp, Elena, are you All right? in her head. No, she thought back. But I'm not drowning, either. I'm washing out my hair. Maybe Damon will at least see me if I'm presentable. Maybe he'll come with us and fight for Fell's Church. Let me help you up, Stefan sent quietly. Elena had come to the end of her air. She pul ed her heavy head out of the water and flipped it, soaking but clean, so that it fel down her back. She stared at Stefan. â€Å"Why?†she said – and then, with a sudden panic – â€Å"Has he left already? Was he angry†¦with me?† â€Å"Stefan.†It was Sage, speaking tiredly. Stefan, who was staring out of his green eyes like a hunted animal, made some faint sound. â€Å"The Influence, it is not working,†Sage said. â€Å"She will remember on her own.†

Customer Satisfaction on Nokia Essay

Nokia has played a pioneering role in the growth of cellular technology in India, starting with the first-ever cellular call a decade ago, made on a Nokia mobile phone over a Nokia deployed network. Nokia started its India operations in 1995, and presently operates out of offices in New Delhi,Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad. The Indian operations comprise of the handsets business; R&D facilities in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai; a manufacturing plant in Chennai and a Design Studio inBangalore. Over the years, the company has grown manifold with its manpower strength increasing from 450 people in the year 2004 to over 15000 employees in March 2008 (including Nokia Siemens Networks). Today, India holds the distinction of being the second largest market for the company globally. With the global launch of Ovi, the company’s Internet services brand name, Nokia is renewing itself to be at the forefront of the convergence of internet and mobility. From being a product centric company, Nokia is now focusing to become solutions centric. The strategic shift is built on Nokia‘s bid to retain consumers and empower Nokia device owners to realize the full potential of the Internet. Nokia will build a suite of Internet based services like Nokia Maps, the Nokia Music Store and Nokia N-Gage around its Ovi brand. Infrastructure business Nokia Siemens Networks is a leading global enabler of communications services. The company provides a complete, well-balanced product portfolio of mobile and fixed network infrastructure solutions and addresses the growing demand for services with 20,000 service professionals worldwide. Its operations in India include Sales & Marketing, Research & Development, Manufacturing and Global Networks Solutions Centre. Headquartered in Gurgaon, Nokia Siemens Networks has 47 offices and presence in over 170 locations across the country. R & D centers Nokia has three Research & Development centers in India, based in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Mumbai. These R&D hubs are staffed by engineers who are working on next-generation packet-switched mobile technologies and communications solutions to enhance corporate productivity. The Center in Bangalore, the biggest R&D site in the country comprises S60 Software Organization, Common Technologies, Next Generation now called Maemo Software, Productization and Software & Services. Design Studio Nokia has set up its first Design Studio in Bangalore in partnership with Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology. The first of its kind, the design studio will give Nokia designers and India‘s talented youth the opportunity to work together on new design ideas for India and the global markets. Manufacturing in India Nokia has set up its mobile device manufacturing facility in Chennai, India to meet the burgeoning demand for mobile devices in the country. The manufacturing facility is operational with an investment of USD 210 million and currently employs 8000 people. Nokia has recently announced fresh investments to the tune of US $ 75 million towards its manufacturing plant in Sriperumbudur, Chennai for the year 2008. * To know about the customer satisfaction level associated with the Nokia product and the customer Expectation level. * To increase customer satisfaction and recapture the market share by fulfilling the customer needs. * To study the factors affecting the consumption pattern Need of the study To study the satisfaction level of consumers towards the Nokia Mobile at Kaliyappa nagar, Sivakasi. Scope 1.This study focus on Features, Appearances, Battery backup and Software compatibility of Nokia. 2. This study help Nokia to recognize the factor which is most satisfied and which factor have more dissatisfaction influencing the consumers to buy the Nokia   Mobile Customer’s satisfaction When we talk about customer satisfaction, we talk about creativity. Creativity allows us to handle or diffuse problems at hand or later on in the process of conducting the everyday business. We talk about how, or rather what, does the organization have to do to gain not only the sale but also the loyalty of the customer. We want to know the payoff of the transaction both in the short and long term. We want to know what our customers want. We want to know if our customers are satisfied. Satisfaction, of course, means that what we delivered to a customer met the customer‘s approval. We want to know if customers are delighted and willing to comeback, and so on. Fleiss and Feldman present examples of that delightful-ness in their writings. Fleiss has written about Ben and Jerry‘s ice cream and Feldman has discussed excellence in a cab ride.As important as delightfulness is, some of us minimize it, or even totally disregard it. Level 1 Expectations are very simple and take the form of assumptions, must have, or take it for granted. For example, I expect the airline to be able to take off, fly to my destination, and land safely. I expect to get the correct blood for my blood transfusion. And I expect the bank to deposit my money to my account and to keep a correct tally for me. Level2 Expectations are a step higher than that of level 1 and they require some form of satisfaction through meeting the requirements and/or specifications .For example, I expect to be treated courteously by all airline personnel. I went to the hospital expecting to have my hernia repaired, to be in some pain after it was done, to be out on the same day, and to receive a correct bill. And I went to the bank expecting the bank teller to be friendly, informative, and helpful with my transactions. Level 3 Expectations are much higher than for levels 1 and 2.Level 3 requires some kind of delightfulness or a service that is so good that it attracts me to it For example, an airline gives passengers traveling coach class the same superior food service that other airlines provide only for first-class passengers. In fact, I once took a flight where the flight attendants actually baked cookies for us right there on the plane. When I went to the hospital, I expected staff to treat me with respect and they carefully explained things to me. But I was surprised when they called me at home the next day to find out how I was doing. And at my house closing, the bank officer, representing the bank holding my mortgage, not only treated me with respect and answered all my questions about my new mortgage, but just before we shook hands to close the deal, he gave me a housewarming gift. Brand image Hide links within definitions Show links within definitions. Impression in the consumers’ mind of a brand’s total personality (real and imaginary qualities and shortcomings). Brand image is developed over time through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme, and is authenticated through the consumers’ direct experience. Brand Value Buyers who are considering a purchase scan their service options and develop a consideration set. Within the consideration set, they develop a hierarchy of brands based on their assessment of Price, Product or Service Features, and Brand Name. Typically, they choose the brand at the top of their hierarchy, if available. If a brand is consistently at the top of their hierarchy, the buyer will be loyal to that brand. We believe consumers try to optimize value within a product or service category. Consumers therefore assign utilities (worth) to price, each relevant performance attribute, and brand equity. Consumers then trade off performance attributes and brand equity against price in order to optimize value. The relationships between the individual values of price, performance attributes and brand equity is summative and equal to total brand value. The values each respondent places on price, performance attributes, and brand equity define their value equation for a product or service category. We can derive these values at the respondent level using modified trade-off exercises. A key advantage of the Brand Value Model is that it allows the calculation of utilities and importance‘s at the individual consumer level. This acknowledges the highly individual nature of the evaluation of products and services in many categories. Furthermore, it permits an exploration of value structures across existing consumer segments or the development of new segments based on the components of the value equation. We believe the total value of a brand in a particular product/service category is composed of three parts. One part is due to the physical and readily identifiable (and replicable) features of the brand that delivers specific, tangible benefits to the purchaser, thus impacting purchase choice. We call these the tangible product features. The second part is due to some perceived intrinsic value associated with the brand name due to such things as the image transferred to the purchaser, trust, longevity in the marketplace, social responsibility, consistent performance, and so forth (i.e. the intangibles), and impacting purchase choice. We refer to this as the brand’s equity. The third component is the price/cost of the product. Thus, the total value (or utility) of a product or service is a function of 1.) Its physical, tangible, deliverable features, 2.) its brand equity, and 3.) its price.