Sarbanes-Oxley Act Relates to Internal Control Essay Example

Sarbanes Sarbanes-Oxley Act Relates to Internal Control Essay Sarbanes-Oxley Act Relates to Internal Control Essay Running:Sarbanes-Oxley Act relates to Internal Control How the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relates to Internal Control? Paris Hudnall Accounting 1 Instructor Wiley December 1, 2010 How the Sarbanes-Oxley Act relates to Internal Control? Former President George W. Bush signed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on July 30, 2002. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act also known as Public Company Accounting Reform, and called Sarbanes-Oxley, or SOX (Wikipedia n. d. ) The enactment of this United State federal law was written for publicly traded companies to provide guidelines to corporations to assist with improving their internal control. Internal control is organizational plan and various measures created by a corporation to safeguard assets, encourage employees to follow company policy, promote operational efficiency, ensure accurate, and reliable accounting records. (Horngren, Harrison, and Oliver 2010) . corporations, such as Tyco International, Enron, and WorldCom were part of a scandal, because they participated in over stating earning, profits, questionable accounting practice, lack of independent auditing, and weak corporate governance (Wikipedia n. . ). These scandals cost investors billions of dollars, the collapse of Enron, consumers’ jobs and weaken the consumer confidence. Corruption within the corporation occurred due to the lack of internal controls systems. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act contains 11 titles with several sections, which outlining the requirements in which corporations must implement to improve their internal corporate governance and accounting practice. (Wikipedia n. d. ). The Sarbanes-Oxley Act will improve the internal control of monitoring, information system, control procedures, environment control and risk assessment. This paper will look at four key provisions in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that focuses on corporation internal controls, regulations on how corporations managed their company internal structure and accountability in the area of outlining management assessment of internal controls, corporation responsibility, finance reporting, disclosure of reports, time period of disclosures, and criminal penalties for altering documents. Title IV section 404; Management Assessment of Internal Controls ensures corporations have organizational plan and guidelines (FindLaw Sec: 404 n. d. ). Guidelines in the corporation help establish an expectation within the work place, and everyone is working toward the same gold. In order to achieve this goal management must submit an annual report, which states the responsibility of management for establishing and maintaining a sufficient internal control structure, and procedure for financial reporting (CPA Journal 2207). By establishing these corporate interior procedures, it safeguard corporate asset by holding the corporation liable for reviewing financing documents and separation of duties limit financing fraud. Saharan-Oxley Act require at the end of the fiscal year the corporation has to report the effectiveness of the internal control structure and the procedure used for the financial reports (FindLaw Sec: 404b, n. d. ). These internal guidelines increasing the accuracy of proper record keeping, corporate information more reliable and increase profitability. Title III of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act is Corporate Responsibility. Section 302; outline corporation responsibility for the corporation financial reports. Sarbanes-Oxley Act place more responsibility on senior executive in the accuracy of corporate financial reports (Findlaw. com, n. d. ). One component of internal control is the corporate environment, which beginning with the owner of the corporation (Horngren, Harrison, and Oliver 2010). The owner or senior executive show honest and respect for the rules of the corporation, which set the example for the employees (Horngren, Harrison, and Oliver 2010). Management assigns responsibilities to employees and separation of duties, as part of the internal procedure. By placing limitations on internal control procedures, employees are clear on their responsibilities, higher job accountability, and limit two or more employees from working together to defraud the corporation (Horngren, Harrison, and Oliver 2010). Senior executive has to sign off on all financing report validating they have read and confirmed the content contains no untrue statements of material. All financial statements have to be verified, and the financial condition of the corporation is presented clearly and actually. By Following Saharan –Oxley Act corporation responsibility section 302, it created guidelines, and a paper trail internally to discourage and control another Enron scandal. Title IV of Saharan Oxley Act enhanced financial disclosures. Section 401 outlines disclosures in periodic reports. To improve internal controls of accurate reliable accounting records corporations are required to ensure all financial statements are prepared according to accounting principles under title IV(FindLaw Sec:401, n. d. ). All financial obligations, arrangements, off balance sheet transactions, and any relationships that may have current or future effect on financial conditions have to be present (Soxlaw. com). All financial reports have to be clear of incorrect statements and transparent. With internal separation of financial procedure in place, it secures the accuracy of financial statement and limits fraud. To strength public confidence the Sarbanes –Oxley Act in section 409 requires public traded corporation to disclose to the public on a regular basis report and presentation on the financial condition, market trend and financial changes (FindLaw Sec:409, n. d. ). This will assist in protecting investors and public interest. These sections assist with internal control of information system, limit unethical acts by personnel, and transparency of company risk. In light of the accounting scandals in the United States TitleVIII, Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability, section 802 outlines consequences for not following the law and altering documents (FindLaw n. d. ). Accountants took part in Enron and Tyco financial scandal. Corporations were lack with independent auditing, accountants’ oversight, and accountants’ preformed consulting work for companies they audited, and accountants were self regulated (Journal of Accountancy 2003). After the passing of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, internal procedures were put in place. These procedures regulated internal control for accounting firms. Guidelines focusing on accountants conflict of interest with corporations. The Act includes any person or persons knowingly destroy, conceal, alter, falsely record information, or obstruct can be imprisonment and/or fine up to 20 years (FindLaw Sec: 802, n. d). Accountants working for corporations are not allowed to audit the client files. New audit procedures were implemented, with auditors having to confirm they had review management internal controls financial procedures (Journal of Accountancy 2003). These internal control procedures help separate duties and create confidence among the employees and deter fraud. Accountants are required to keep audit file and work papers for five years. Any accountants knowingly, and willingly violate the law can be fine and/or imprison up to ten years (Soxlaw n. d). Since the passing of Sarbanes-Oxley Act, some business has relocated to places were the financial sector and laws are more relaxed. There is still concern and some debate over compliance cost, whether the transparency is with foreign firms, and numerous other issues. Companies are implementing all section of the act; however the most costly portion is the assessment of internal control. Documents, reports and financial manual and control require great effort (Wikipedia n. d. ). The stricter the internal control guidelines the more costly to the corporation. The internal control is the guidelines and organizational plan for a corporation. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act restructured how a corporation internal procedures are handled. With these internal control laws in place for a corporation to follow corporate assets are better safeguarded; employees are clear on procedures, company policies are spelled out, more environment control and financing reports are more reliable. The Sarbanes-Oxley act has been praised for improving internal control, which has been successful in deterring corporate fraud and scandal. With more accurate, reliable financial statement, investor confidence, independent audits, executive accountability. Reference Addison-Hewitt Associates. Initials. (2003). A Guide to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Retrieved from soxlaw. com Find law, Initials. (n. d. ). Sarbanes-oxley act of 2002. Retrieved from, fl1. findlaw. com/nerws. findlaw. com/cnn/docs/gwbush Horngren, Charles, Walter Harrison, and Suzanne Oliver. 7. Accounting 1. 2010 ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2008. 379. Print. Jean, Bedard Graham, L, amp; Hoitash, R. (October, 2007). Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 and Internal Controls. retrieved 11/29/2010, from The CPA Journal Web Site: ysscpa. org McConnell, Donald amp; Banks, G. (2003,September). How Sarbanes-Oxley Will Change the Audit Process. retrieved 11/29/2010, from Journal of Accountancy Web Site: www. journalofaccountancy. com Sarbanes Oxley Act . Â  Wikipedia,The Free Encyclopedia. 2002. Wikipedia Foundation. 11/30/2010Â  lt;www. wikipedia. org/wiki/sarbanesgt;. SEC Immplements Internal Control Provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley Act. (2003). retrieved 11/29/2010, from U. S. Securiti es and Exchange Commission Web Site: www. sec. gov

Major General Joseph Hooker in the Civil War

Major General Joseph Hooker in the Civil War Born November 13, 1814, at Hadley, MA, Joseph Hooker was the son of local store owner Joseph Hooker and Mary Seymour Hooker. Raised locally, his family came from old New England stock and his grandfather had served as a captain during the American Revolution. After receiving his early education at Hopkins Academy, he decided to pursue a military career. With the assistance of his mother and his teacher, Hooker was able to gain the attention of Representative George Grennell who provided an appointment to the United State Military Academy. Arriving at West Point in 1833, Hookers classmates included Braxton Bragg, Jubal A. Early, John Sedgwick, and John C. Pemberton. Advancing through the curriculum, he proved an average student and graduated four years later ranked 29th in a class of 50. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 1st US Artillery, he was sent to Florida to fight in the Second Seminole War. While there, the regiment took part in several minor engagements and had to endure challenges from the climate and environment. Mexico With the beginning of the Mexican-American War in 1846, Hooker was assigned to the staff of Brigadier General Zachary Taylor. Taking part in the invasion of northeast Mexico, he received a brevet promotion to captain for his performance at the Battle of Monterrey. Transferred to the army of Major General Winfield Scott, he took part in the siege of Veracruz and the campaign against Mexico City. Again serving as a staff officer, he consistently displayed coolness under fire. In the course of the advance, he received additional brevet promotions to major and lieutenant colonel. A handsome young officer, Hooker began to develop a reputation as a ladies man while in Mexico and was often referred to as the Handsome Captain by the locals. Between the Wars In the months after the war, Hooker had a falling out with Scott. This was the result of Hooker supporting Major General Gideon Pillow against Scott at the formers court-martial. The case saw Pillow accused of insubordination following refusal to revise exaggerated after-action reports and then sending letters to the New Orleans Delta. As Scott was the US Armys senior general, Hookers actions had long-term negative consequences for his career and he left the service in 1853. Settling in Sonoma, CA, he began working as a developer and farmer. Overseeing 550-acre farm, Hooker grew cordwood with limited success. Increasingly unhappy with these pursuits, Hooker turned to drinking and gambling. He also tried his hand at politics but was defeated in an attempt to run for the state legislature. Tired of civilian life, Hooker applied to Secretary of War John B. Floyd in 1858 and asked to be reinstated as a lieutenant colonel. This request was denied and his military activities were limited to a colonelcy in the California militia. An outlet for his military aspirations, he oversaw its first encampment in Yuba County. The Civil War Begins With the outbreak of the Civil War, Hooker found himself lacking the money to travel east. Staked by a friend, he made the trip and immediately offered his services to the Union. His initial efforts were rebuffed and he was forced to watch the First Battle of Bull Run as a spectator. In the wake of the defeat, he wrote an impassioned letter to President Abraham Lincoln and was appointed as a brigadier general of volunteers in August 1861. Quickly moving from brigade to division command, he aided Major General George B. McClellan in organizing the new Army of the Potomac. With the beginning of the Peninsula Campaign in early 1862, he commanded the 2nd Division, III Corps. Advancing up the Peninsula, Hookers division took part in the Siege of Yorktown in April and May. During the siege, he earned a reputation for looking after his men and seeing to their welfare. Performing well at the Battle of Williamsburg on May 5, Hooker was promoted to major general effective that date though he felt slighted by his superiors after action report.   Fighting Joe It was during his time on the Peninsula that Hooker earned the nickname Fighting Joe. Disliked by Hooker who thought it made him sound like a common bandit, the name was the result of a typographical error in a Northern newspaper. Despite the Union reverses during the Seven Days Battles in June and July, Hooker continued shine on the battlefield. Transferred north to Major General John Popes Army of Virginia, his men took part in the Union defeat at Second Manassas in late August. On September 6, he was given command of III Corps, which was redesignated I Corps six days later. As General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia moved north into Maryland, it was pursued by Union troops under McClellan. Hooker first led his corps in battle on September 14 when it fought well at South Mountain. Three days later, his men opened the fighting at the Battle of Antietam and engaged Confederate troops under Major General Thomas Stonewall Jackson. In the course of the fighting, Hooker was wounded in the foot and had to be taken from the field. Recovering from his wound, he returned to the army to find that Major General Ambrose Burnside had replaced McClellan. Given command of a Grand Division consisting of III and V Corps, his men took heavy losses that December at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Long a vocal critic of his superiors, Hooker relentlessly attacked Burnside in the press and in the wake of the latters failed Mud March in January 1863 these intensified. Though Burnside intended to remove his adversary, he was prevented from doing so when he himself was relieved by Lincoln on January 26. In Command To replace Burnside, Lincoln turned to Hooker due to his reputation for aggressive fighting and chose to overlook the generals history of outspokenness and hard living. Assuming command of the Army of the Potomac, Hooker worked tirelessly to improve the conditions for his men and improve morale. These were largely successful and he was well-liked by his soldiers. Hookers plan for the spring called for a large-scale cavalry raid to disrupt the Confederate supply lines while he took the army on a sweeping flanking march to strike Lees position at Fredericksburg in the rear. While the cavalry raid was largely a failure, Hooker succeeded in surprising Lee and gained an early advantage in the Battle of Chancellorsville. Though successful, Hooker began to lose his nerve as the battle continued and assumed an increasingly defensive posture. Taken in the flank by an audacious attack by Jackson on May 2, Hooker was forced back. The next day, at the height of the fighting, he was injured when the pillar he was leaning against was struck by a cannonball. Initially knocked unconscious, he was incapacitated most of the day but refused to cede command. Recovering, he was compelled to retreat back across the Rappahannock River. Having defeated Hooker, Lee began moving north to invade Pennsylvania. Directed to screen Washington and Baltimore, Hooker followed though he first suggested a strike on Richmond. Moving north, he got into a dispute over defensive arrangements at Harpers Ferry with Washington and impulsively offered his resignation in protest. Having increasingly lost confidence in Hooker, Lincoln accepted and appointed Major General George G. Meade to replace him. Meade would lead the army to victory at Gettysburg a few days later. Goes West In the wake of Gettysburg, Hooker was transferred west to the Army of the Cumberland along with the XI and XII Corps. Serving under Major General Ulysses S. Grant, he quickly regained his reputation as an effective commander at the Battle of Chattanooga. During these operations, his men won the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 23 and took part in the larger fighting two days later. In April 1864, XI and XII Corps were consolidated into XX Corps under Hookers command. Serving in the Army of the Cumberland, XX Corps performed well during Major General William T. Shermans drive against Atlanta. On July 22, the commander of the Army of the Tennessee, Major General James McPherson, was killed at the Battle of Atlanta and replaced by Major General Oliver O. Howard. This incensed Hooker as he was senior and blamed Howard for the defeat at Chancellorsville. Appeals to Sherman were in vain and Hooker asked to be relieved. Departing Georgia, he was given command of the Northern Department for the remainder of the war. Later Life Following the war, Hooker remained in the army. He retired in 1868 as a major general after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. After spending much of his retired life around New York City, he died on October 31, 1879, while visiting Garden City, NY. He was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in his wifes, Olivia Groesbeck, hometown of Cincinnati, OH. Though known for his hard drinking and wild lifestyle, the magnitude of Hookers personal escapades is a subject of much debate among his biographers.

Uniform Commercial Code, section 1-302 Research Paper

Uniform Commercial Code, section 1-302 - Research Paper Example This is because of the aspect that owing to the prevalence of stern laws and regulations, companies and individuals in the commercial business domain has not been able to work freely and ensure trade and business in the best possible manner. Furthermore, owing to the prevalence of diverse range of rules and regulations regarding business in various states of the US, there was an extreme lack of uniformity and balance in legal structure, which has one way or the other had hindered effective performance of the business units and traders (SBA, â€Å"Uniform Commercial Code†). In order to ensure efficacy and less complexity in the commercial business domain, the government of the nations has emerged with the proposal of formulating a common law and codes of regulations that can be used uniformly in every state of the US, especially in the domain of commercial business. The codes were first published in the year 1952 and where subject to severe criticism in the initial phases owing to some of its policies (Legal Information Institute, â€Å" § 3-312. Lost, Destroyed, Or Stolen Cashiers Check, Tellers Check, Or Certified Check.†). These set of codes were primarily developed with the intention to harmonize the legal structure of the US with regard to sales of goods and services in more than 50 states of the US. It helped in regulating and governing the commercial business sector of the country in the most efficient manner through developing flexible and simple policies that can be adopted commonly by all the states that are associated with commercia l business. The most vital objective of these set of codes is that it govern each and every transaction of the business units within the commercial trading, so that efficient results can be obtained in the eventual stages. With the presence of UCC in the scene, different states within the US have been able to work with utmost efficacy during intra-state business as that the

Heritage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Heritage - Essay Example The repairs, alterations and exterior modifications protected the heritage values of the hall. This concept paper seeks to show the historical significance of Petone Labour Hall and the continued importance and identity to the community heritage despite its conversion into mainly a cinema hall. Under the severance, it is identified by the Map Number B5 on location 52 Bay Street, formally refered to as Petone Labour Hall and the legal description is Lot 70 DP 51.The building was constructed using bricks and reinforced with concrete. It comprises a large hall, a stage and a smaller lecture room located at the back. The Light House that is run in partnership with Upper Hut’s luxury 40-seat art house cinema has two theatres where unlike other theatres popcorn is prohibited (Leach et al n.pg). The special features in the Light house include the proposed insulation controls sound effects. The Light House is designed to screen movies that appeal to a larger and wider audience than those in the big chain multiplexes. Alongside the two theatres there are licensed coffee shops. The building was used mainly for entertainment purposes and now that it is a cinema hall, it does not mean it serves a different purpose. However, this preserved the building’s heritage value an d also restored its role as a community entertainment center (Leach and Moulis n.pg). The new face of the building has different accessibility levels from the ground, as well as, the ticketing area and the coffee shops. There are five cinemas access levels from the ground and in every level there are seats set aside for people with disabilities. For example, there are hearing loop for sound transmits directly to the hearing aid for individuals with hearing impairments. It also has an infrared system that consists of listening receiver and a transmitter. This feeds sound into the transmitter then to the individual

FIN 370 Week 3 Learning Team Assignment Essay Example for Free

FIN 370 Week 3 Learning Team Assignment Essay Learning Team: Current Market Conditions Competitive Analysis This paper will give a short history and descriptions of Apple’s I Pad minicomputer. It will also give factors that affect demand, supply, and equilibrium prices in the market. Issues that Apple faces that affect its competitiveness will also be addressed. Lastly, this paper will identify the long term profitability of the iPad including, price elasticity of demand, technological innovation, and cost structure. Steven Jobs and Steven Wozniak were friends in high school, which shared like interested in electronics. They designed what would become the Apple and on April 1, 1976, Apple Computer was born. This is an American based company located in California. Apple specializes in design advancing, and the sales electronics, computer software, and computers. Apple is accredited for some of the most popular products of the modern world of technology such as: iPod, iPhone, iPad, and iTunes. Apple has expanded its retail stores to fourteen countries worldwide with 408 retail store not to mention their online stores, Apple Store and iTunes. Apple’s value as of March 2013 is $415 million, and it is the largest most publicly traded companies. The iPad is a tablet designed minicomputer that was released in 2010 by Apple. This device has equipped with Wi-Fi and has a multi- touch screen. There are five different versions of this particular tablet. Each has the capability to play music, record videos, a camera function, browsing the web, e-mailing. Games, GPS navigation system, and social networking can also be downloaded to the device. A market is as a collection of consumers and retailers of a specific merchandise or service. Demand is the actual volume that consumers are prepared and able to obtain. Quantity necessitated is the demand at a specific amount and is symbolized as the demand curve. The supply of a product is the quantity that manufacturers are prepared an d capable to convey to the market the sale of  the product. The market can be analyzed by matching the supply and demand curve. Equilibrium is the connection of supply and demand curves. The equilibrium amount is the amount where the number demanded matches the number supplied. A change in price does not necessarily mean that the demand will change. It is more likely for the quantity demanded will affect the price. If the price is changed the curve will move along the demand curve. When the price is reduced the quantity demand will be increased. When the IPad was released, it was the only product in that market at that time. Therefore, at that time it absolutely controlled the tablet division. Some corporations tried to contend with Apple, but recognized their position just could not compete. The competition combated Apple by creating smaller tablet that is an unfamiliar place for Apple. This creation worked and caused Apple to lose sales. The competitors rapidly established their place in the market. Price elasticity of demand is an issue th at our organization, Apple faces that affects our competitiveness and long-term profitability with regards to the iPad. â€Å"Price elasticity of demand and supply tells us exactly how quantity responds to a change in price. As elasticity increases, quantity responds more to price changes. Demand or supply is elastic, if the percentage change in quantity is greater than the percentage change in price†(University Of Phoenix, 2010, pp. 154-157). After reviewing data, specifically targeted to the three types of iPads; their pricing, capabilities and memory storage, it was determined that if the price of the iPads increased; then the consumers may not purchase them (What Is An Apple Ipad’s Elasticity Of Demand?, 2012). The price elasticity of demand tells us that although apple is very technological innovative, but as it relates to price elasticity of demand; the quantity does not matter (all the changes, modifications, additions, advancements, etc.) consumers will still purchase the cheaper iPad (cost efficient) Apple should not invest in making more iPads. Consumer(s) can’t readily identify / understand the importance /significance of having more capabilities, memory, storage, etc. The consumer(s) would ultimately shop for and purchase the iPad that’s more conducive to their needs. Although apple has is very technological innovative, but as it relates to price elasticity of demand; the quantity does not matter (all the changes, modifications, additions, advancements, etc.) consumers will still purchase the cheaper iPad (cost efficient)  Technological innovation is an opportunity for our organization, (Apple) to face that affects our competitiveness and long-term profitability with regards to the iPad. Through technological innovation our organization will be able to make improvements to something that already exists; such as the Apple iPad. Is the improvement to something that already exists. Technological innovation will always have a huge impact on Apple Corporation. As it directly relates to the iPad, with the technological innovation, we are able to re-invest and re-invent the iPad. As with any product of this magnitude, the cost will increase, more features will be added, more storage, more variability, etc. As long as we are innovative and have a willingness to be creative we will consistently bring new items to the market that will steady intrigue the consumers and adapts to their technological needs. â€Å"Cost Structure (TC = FC + VC) is the costs of production, the identification of how costs associated with the production of a good or service are distributed throughout the process The cost structure consists of fixed costs, variable costs and total cost â€Å" (University Of Phoenix, 2010, pp. 283-285). According to Internal Factors: Costs (n.d.), When analyzing cost, the marketer will consider all costs needed to get the product to market including those associated with production, marketing, distribution and company administration (e.g., office expense). These costs can be divided into two main categories: fixed costs and variable costs†. Fixed costs are costs that are spent and cannot be recovered (rent, credit interest, maintenance costs, security and administrative expenses, often salary). The major factors affecting fixed costs are (1) Changes in business organization, (2) Changes in technology applied, (3) Sale of manufacturing equipment and (3) Decisions to undertake advertising activities, etc. Variable costs are costs that vary with production. Factors affecting variable costs, including productivity and others that change the supply of and demand for labor (internal factors), (1) Involve costs of items that are either components of the product (parts/packaging), (2) Directly associated with creating the product (electricity to run an assembly line), (3) Coupons and (4) Variable costs, especially for tangible products tend to decline as more units are produced. This is due to the producing company’s ability to pu rchase product components for lower prices since component suppliers often provide  discounted pricing for large quantity purchases (). Total cost the sum of all costs of inputs used by a firm in production TC = FC + VC Apple is one of the world’s most admired brands. Every year, as rumors about Apple’s products start to emerge web sites begin to speculate which suppliers are likely to win Apple’s business. Getting a contract from Apple can lift a company’s value by millions of dollars. On October 22 Apple released a variety of new hardware and software. Apple’s new iPad is clearly focusing on improving the iPad product profit margin, while also maintaining it strong market share. One of the ways Apple can maximize their profit is by reducing the price of the original iPad mini. Another recommendation that can maximize the profit for Apple is to also make radical improvements to the full-size iPad and the mini. Apple has four products in the iPad lineup. While Apple decided to keep the price of the iPad 2 at $399 Apple dropped the price of the IPad mini to $299. The newest iPad, the new full-size iPad Air is thinner and lighter than the previous full-size iPads and much more powerful. The new iPad Air will sell at $499, while the second new iPad tablet the iPad mini with Retina display will sale for $399. By Apple dropping the price on the iPad mini this move should help A pple maintain market share with it strong competition. Strong competitors like Google and Amazon have recently dropped the prices on their popular tablets. Android tablets such as Google and the Kindle Fire have been gaining on Apple over the past year with the lower prices and higher performance. The Kindle Fire HD sold for $139, this alone affected Apple’s revenue. The price decrease put Apple’s base iPad mini closer to the price of Google and Amazon’s top of the line tablets. Apple chose to drop the price of the original iPad mini tablets to maximize their profits with the competition. Overall by dropping the price, this will draw more individuals to the Apple iPad mini and increase Apple’s marginal revenues and profitability. This will keep Apple’s market share in competition with Google and Amazon without sacrificing too much profitability. Although, there are several competitors in this market; such as The Kindle Fire, The Windows Tablet, Galaxy Table, etc. none are able to uphold the standards that the iPad will carry. With all of our advancements in technology, research, investments, etc. we continue to be in high demand. If our corporation continues to be technological innovative and productive; then we will continue to grow and  c onsistently re-invent. We will be more profitable, growing and will remain cost efficient; when it comes to manufacturing and producing the iPad. Based on the current market conditions, our competitive market analysis concluded that the Apple iPad will be an extremely productive and very successful. References: Duhigg, C., Barboza, D. (2012, January 25). In, China, Human Cost Are Built Into an IPad, p. The iEconomy. Internal Factors: Costs . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.knowthis.com/pricing-decisions/internal- factors-costs Reisinger, D. (2013, October 22). IPad 2 Survives iPad Air, Still cost $399. CNET, p. . University Of Phoenix. (2010). Economics, Eight Edition. Retrieved from University Of Phoenix, ECO365 website. What is an Apple iPad’s Elasticity of Demand?. (2012). Retrieved from http://applecoeconomics.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/what-is-an-apple-ipads-elasticity-of-demand-9/

High School Curriculum :: Education Argumentative Persuasive Papers

High School Curriculum When reviewing the literature regarding the past, present and future of educational curriculum, several main points seem apparent, namely that curriculum is cyclical, that a dilemma or paradox exists, and that curriculum must be looked at with a sensitive view. According to Lashway (1999) educators once saw educational reform as cyclical. Every ten years or so one could expect a public outburst followed by frantic efforts to mend a broken system. However, in the last twenty years there seems to have been a perpetual reform. Looking to the past it seems that curriculum became diluted. Schools offered many electives; schools even watered down the curriculum hoping to â€Å"keep† students (which was later found to only compound the problem) (Mclaughlin 1990). Curriculum resembled a lawn sprinkler covering a lot of area yet having very little force. In the 1980’s a report called â€Å"A Nation At Risk† stated that American children had fallen behind in such subjects as math and science. Thus came the advent of education’s increased focus on literacy and numeracy, accountability and academic standards. These high standards, according to Dumas (2000), are the most significant trend in schools today. These new standards seem to be focusing more on both accountability and back to basics. As a math teacher I can be delighted by this focus. However, as a potential administrator, I realize this is too myopic a view. Indeed these standards have created a dilemma -- a conundrum -- a paradox. Back to basics? BUT these basics must be taught differently, by stressing higher level thinking and life/work appreciation. Additionally, all children must be taught, be they rich, poor, learning disabled, foreign speakers etc. Cut frills but be creative Do not forget educating the â€Å"whole† child. Do well on standardized test while remembering and accounting for fewer standardized kids. Be literate and professional but as pointed out in numerous articles, care, and be a good moral person. Additionally include character education for students. This has led some educators to express reservations about these current trends, mostly because of fears that reform will be driven by conformity to policy mandates rather than the educational needs of children. John Goodlad (1999) observes, â€Å"The language of school reform virtually eschews reference to the measuring of self, civility, civic-mindedness, democratic character and participation in the whole of the human conservation.

A Case Study: Employee Behavior

The MBA Toolbox defines influencing as, â€Å"changing another person’s attitudes without using force or authority† (p. 1). When force or authority is used the implication is that the influence is unethical. Influence is achieved ethically by engendering trust. For managers and executives influencing behavior should be thought of as an ongoing, two-way, process. Jeanne Lewis of Staples, Inc. was able to ethically influence her organization by adapting her own style and by listening to and learning from her employees at all levels of the organization.It is impossible to institute effective change within an organization without being well-connected to the organization itself. The Harvard case study about the career of Jeanne Lewis shows that it is possible to change a corporation through interpersonal relationships, dialogue and patience. The Company Despite the ill-fated merger with Office Depot in 1997, Staples Inc. was a company that exhibited a track record of consist ent growth by the time Jeanne Lewis was hired into the marketing department. Strong leadership from the top had characterized Staples rise to prominence.Despite Staples’ track record of success, Jeanne Lewis sensed the need for change within the organization. As she moved through various positions in the company she only became more convinced of this. If Staples was going to meet its’ aggressive goals a more integrative organizational approach was needed. But how could she put her ideas forward? Upon Todd Krasnow’s exit, Lewis would be the new leader. Krasnow was universally respected, and any change from his philosophy could meet with resistance. Promoting ChangeEthical and effective change within an organization is a function of trust. Jeanne Lewis understood this. She also saw influencing change as a process. Gaining influence by dishonest means could have been done in an instant, but Lewis knew this would benefit no one in the long run. Lewis influenced peop le first by being open and honest, and second by putting herself in the shoes of her employees. When the time for change came, they were ready to go along with her because they trusted her commitment to them and the company.Jeanne Lewis did not try to propose significant organizational change as soon as she had the idea. She paved the way for change over a number of years. She learned every detail she could about the operation of the company, and became well liked and respected. One co-worker in Suesse’s case study Jeanne Lewis at Staples, Inc. , describes Lewis this way: Jeanne’s charm could be disarming. She worked really hard and her personality motivated you. She tended to manage tightly at first then loosened the reins. She challenged us a lot and invited us tochallenge each other. (p. 4) Jeanne’s personality and open nature engendered trust among those who worked with her. But it was also clear to everyone that she knew the business, and could succeed in a ny position within it. This feeling was not earned overnight. Lewis had strived to learn the details others might not have. Another co-worker describes her this way: I think she was able to influence people and get respect because she had great insight, and she combined it with a great natural personality. (Suesse, p.5) Conclusions The MBA toolbox defines influence in practical terms this way: †¦to influence you have to prove to other people that accepting your proposal helps them to solve their problems or achieve their objectives. (p. 1) This simple definition masks a complex, and very human, process. Influence can be achieved in ethical or unethical, honest or dishonest, ways. The ramifications of unethical influence can extend far beyond what is expected. The recent corporate scandals show the destruction that can take place.The ethical and financial downfall likely started as the result of one person exerting influence, unethically, over another. The case study of Jeanne L ewis shows the value of trust within an organization. Trust comes from ethical behavior. Gregory Perry in An exploration of Factors Influencing Ethical and Unethical Behavior in Negotiations, highlights this factor: Trust between parties is viewed as an integral- if not central feature of the effective and productive work relationships†¦ Highly ethical behavior can build relationships and reducetransaction costs between parties. (p. 2) Influencing an organization by ethical means takes more time than doing it unethically. It is a process of gaining trust similar to that in any relationship. Jeanne Lewis influenced her organization ethically by gaining the knowledge to know how her changes would affect others, remaining open to suggestion and gaining trust. Comparing the experience of Jeanne Lewis at Staples to other companies rife with unethical behavior, however, shows that the effort is well worth it for everyone involved.Sources DuBrin, Andrew. (2003). Leadership- Research F indings, Practice and Skills (4th Ed. ). New York: Houghton Mifflin. MBA Toolbox. (2006). Chapter 2: Influencing Persuading. Retrieved 9/27/2006 from: http://www. mbatoolbox. org/stories/storyReaders$12 Perry, Gregory M. (2005). An Exploration of Factors Influencing Ethical and Unethical Behavior in Negotiations. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics; Apr ’05. Suesse, Jennifer. (2000). Jeanne Lewis at Staples, Inc. (A) (Abridged). Boston: Harvard Business School.

Behavior: Sociology and Psychological Core Essay

1. How is Unilever applying its understanding of internal consumer processes in the psychological core to market its products? One company that has maintained its dominance over time is Unilever. The company make used of their understanding of internal processes which are a series of changes that occur within the individual, which includes the psychological processes: motivation, perception, attitude and knowledge. They market their products to get more customers by explaining to them how and why they should use a product in order to make their lives better and also to make them feeling good about doing that action and this one, is a part of knowledge in the psychological core. They also try to make the use of the product in easier way and to fit with the environmental issues which is a part of attitude in the psychological core. 2. Which of the four external processes in the consumer’s culture do you think have been the most important to the success of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty? Why? The four external processes in the consumer’s culture are religion, ethnicity, reference groups, and social class. For me, the most important external process in the consumer’s culture to the success of Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty is the ethnicity. It is the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a common national or cultural tradition. Dove’s Campaign aims to touch customers by telling them that there is no norms for beauty, every women is beautiful with her own features. They set up this campaign without any categories of women in order to reach women of all ages, races, or sizes. The idea was to target all kinds of consumers as possible. The campaign worked out very well because consumers recognized themselves in the ads. 3. Do you agree with Unilever’s decision to link its brands with efforts to encourage healthy and environmentally sustainability behaviors? Explain your answer. Definitely, yes I agree with Unilever’s decision to link its brands with efforts to encourage healthy and environmentally sustainability behavior because it is another way to catch more customers and spread a good image of the organization. It also shows that Unilever really care with the customer’s health. Unilever not just only sell products but they also assured that the consumers will fit and satisfied with their products. And it will be a best way for them to keep their customers, as well as to build loyalty.

Criminal Profiling in Court

Criminal Profiling in Court Free Online Research Papers All societies in the world are troubled by crime everyday. The general public has become very fascinated by criminals and fearful of criminal behavior. In the fight against crime, criminal profiling has been developed to aid the FBI in the capture of criminals. At the heart of criminal profiling is a combination of psychological principles and crime scene analysis. In combining both the psychological principles and crime scene analysis, it is possible to identify the likely characteristics of a perpetrator. Although this technique is very helpful, there appears to be many contradictions and disagreements when it comes to the two types of criminal profiling. The two types of criminal profiling, inductive and deductive, are very different in many ways. The most commonly used type of criminal profiling would be deductive, due to the fact that it requires an individual to have a specialized education and training in the field at question. Criminal Profiling in Court Criminal profiling is a general term that describes any process of inferring distinctive personality characteristics of individuals responsible for committing criminal acts from physical and/or behavioral evidence. The FBI defines criminal investigative analysis as an investigative process that identifies the major personality and behavioral characteristics of the offender based on the crimes he or she has committed. Profiles are known to work best when the offender displays obvious psychopathology, such as sadistic torture, postmortem mutilation or pedophilia. A profile can offer helpful information that includes the offender’s general age range, racial identity, ideas about the modus operandi, estimates about living situation, education level, travel patterns, the possibility of a criminal or psychiatric record, and probable psychological traits. When criminal profilers examine materials in the trial phase of a case, they are forensic examiners whether they care to be or no t. The duties are profiler include, but are not limited to evaluating the criminal act itself, evaluating the specifics of the crime scene, analyzing the victim, evaluating the preliminary police reports, evaluating the medical examiner’s autopsy report, developing the profile with critical offender characteristics and investigating suggestions on the construction of the profile. In completing these duties, there are two types of profiling one could follow. The most common and useful form of profiling is known as deductive profiling. Deductive profiling concerns itself with the particular behavioral evidence of a case as the physical evidence has established it. The process of interpreting forensic evidence, including such inputs as crime scene photos, autopsy reports/photos, and a thorough study of individual offender victimology. Deductive profiling is deduced from the careful forensic examination and behavioral reconstruction of a single offender’s crime scene. There are many advantages of using deductive profiling as opposed to inductive profiling. Deductive profiling requires specialized education and training in forensic science, crime reconstruction, and wound pattern analysis. Because it thoroughly explores victimology and the nature of the interaction between the victim(s), crime scene(s), and the offender, it can very pointedly demonstrate an individual offender’s motivations and in even the most bizarre senseless offenses. One major advantage of deductive profiling is that is examines behaviors of individual offenders as they occur over time. By examining the behaviors over time, it allows for change and growth to arrive and the analysis is recompiled back into the criminal profile. Along with the advantages are the disadvantages of deductive profiling. It is not a quick fix or a cure all. The technique requires a great deal of effort and multidisciplinary skill on the part of each member of the investigative team. The process of deductive profiling is extremely emotionally exhausting and it cannot point out a specific known individual and say with confidence that they are likely responsible for a certain crime or series of crimes unless that offender’s unique signature is known and already established. Many people have assumptions about deductive profiling in that the offender acts without motivation. Profilers using deductive profiling believe that all human behavior develops uniquely, over time, in response to environmental and biological factors. In believing that, profilers also feel that some offenders have unique motivations and/or behaviors that should be individuated from other similar offenders. One example of deductive profiling as follows: the body of a female victim is found nude in a remote forest location with four shallow, careful incisions on the chest and cutting across the nipples. The victim’s genital areas have all been removed with a sharp instrument and petechia are evident in the eyes, neck, and face. No clothing or blood is found at the crime scene. The victim bears ligature furrows around her wrists with abraded contusions, but no ligature is present. There are fresh tire impressions found in the mud, approximately twenty yards from where the body is located. Involving that case, the established deductive profile would conclude: The offender in this particular offense bound the victim to restrain her while she was still aliv e, indicated by the abrasions around her wrists associated with struggling. The offender removed the ligature before disposing of the body, indicated by the fact that no ligature was found at the crime scene. The victim was likely asphyxiated with a material ligature about the neck, indicated by the pattern compression and the petechia. The location where the body was found is a disposal site and not the actual location of the offense, indicated by the fact that no blood was present at this location. The offender has a vehicle consistent with the tire impressions and is mobile. All of these details together indicate a competent, intelligent offender whom is likely able to sustain employment, and is likely a sexual sadist. This is deductively suggested by the vehicle, the use of secondary scene to dispose of the body to avoid transfer evidence, the removal of the victim’s clothing, and the deliberate cutting of the victim’s nipples to cause pain but not seriously injure. Inductive profiling is also known as statistical profiles and are nothing more than weakly supported generalizations that have little or rational bearing on the issues before the court. It is a very easy tool to use and does not require any specialized forensic knowledge, education or training in the study of criminal behavior. Inductive profiles can be assembled in a short period of time without any great effort or ability. Although it is not the most reliable for all situations, inductive profiling can be useful for thoroughly establishing MO behavior, as well as offender signature. There are many disadvantages of inductive profiling, which is why many agencies don’t use it. The information is generalized from limited population samples and not specifically related to any case. The profiles are averaged from limited data and collected only from known, apprehended off enders. The inductive profile does not fully or accurately take into account current offenders who are at large, or the criminals who are successfully continuing to avoid detection by law enforcement. With so many disadvantages comes many assumptions about inductive profiling. Many profilers using this technique assume that small groups of known offenders who commit the same types of crimes as unknown offenders have commonly shared individual characteristics that can be accurately generalized back to initially similar individual unknown offenders. Another assumption associated with inductive profiling is that offenders who have committed crimes in the past are culturally similar to current offenders, being influence by at least similar environmental conditions and existing with the same general and sometimes specific motivations. One example of inductive profiling is as follows: eighty percent of known serial killers that attack college students in parking lots are white makes age twenty-thirty five years old who live with their mothers and drive Volkswagen Bugs. The offender has attacked at least three female college students on separate occasions; the offender has attacked all three victims in parking lots. The inductive profile concludes that the offender, who is park of this large group who fits â€Å"serial killers† is a white male, age twenty- thirty five, lives with his mother and drives a Volkswagen Bug. The profile is formed to show basically all statistical information. In using both types of profiling there are problems that arise from both of them. Some profilers have ignorance about the nature of criminal profiling and physical evidence in general. The lack of restraint with which many criminal profilers give their opinions instead of facts. An early case study involving Richard Trenton Chase, also know n as the â€Å"Vampire of Sacramento†, was quickly identified and apprehended with the help of a psychological profile in 1978. Mr. Chase had murdered a woman in her home, eviscerating her and drinking her blood. The crime was so brutal that the FBI was called in and gave the profilers a chance to show what they were worth. Agents Robert Ressler and Russ Vorpagel developed independent profiles that helped to catch Mr. Chase. His arrest stopped a string of murders, that apparently from marks on his calendar were to include forty-four victims in the same year. Without the technique of criminal profiling, no one is sure whether or not Mr. Chase would have been apprehended. Conclusion Although many people in today’s society can watch television and see shows that involve criminal profiling, it can be a huge misunderstanding of what profiling can truly achieve. Criminal profilers operating in the sensitive area of criminal investigations receive greater public attention and therefore, will have to display caution in the conclusions they draw in a case. A lack of clarity remains between the differing profiling fractions in relation to the application of the technique in criminal investigations. It is always important to recognize that the results of the profiling process are only as competent as the original investigative efforts and processes which provide, or in many cases fail to provide, the physical evidence fro which criminal behavior is reconstructed. Research Papers on Criminal Profiling in CourtThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseCapital PunishmentThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenThree Concepts of PsychodynamicPETSTEL analysis of IndiaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Honest Iagos Truth through Deception

Evolution of Eye Color in Humans

Evolution of Eye Color in Humans The earliest human ancestors are believed to have come from the continent of Africa. As primates adapted and then branched off into many different species on the tree of life, the lineage that eventually became our modern day human beings appeared. Since the equator cuts directly through the continent of Africa, the countries there receive almost direct sunlight all year long. This direct sunlight, with ultraviolet rays, and the warm temperatures it brings pressure for the natural selection of dark skin color. Pigments, like melanin in the skin, protect against these harmful rays of the sun. This kept individuals with darker skin alive longer and they would reproduce and pass down the dark-skinned genes to their offspring. Genetic Basis of Eye Color The main gene that controls eye color is relatively closely linked to the genes that cause skin color. It is believed that the ancient human ancestors all had dark brown or nearly black colored eyes and very dark hair (which is also controlled by linked genes to eye color and skin color). Even though brown eyes are still considered mostly dominant overall eye colors, there are several different eye colors readily seen now in the global population of human beings. So where did all of these eye colors come from? While evidence is still being collected, most scientists agree that the natural selection for the lighter eye colors is linked to the relaxation of selection for the darker skin tones. As human ancestors began to migrate to various places around the world, the pressure for selection of dark skin color was not as intense. Particularly unnecessary to human ancestors that settled in what are now the Western European nations, selection for dark skin and dark eyes was no longer necessary for survival. These much higher latitudes afforded different seasons and no direct sunlight like near the equator on the continent of Africa. Since the selection pressure was no longer as intense, genes were more likely to mutate. Eye color is a bit complex when talking about genetics. The color of human eyes is not dictated by a single gene like many of the other traits. It is instead considered a polygenic trait, meaning there are several different genes on various chromosomes that carry information about what eye color an individual should possess. These genes, when expressed, then blend together to make various shades of different colors. Relaxed selection for dark eye color also allowed more mutations to take hold. This created even more alleles available to combine together in the gene pool to create different eye colors. Individuals who can trace their ancestors to Western European countries generally have a lighter skin color and lighter eye color than those from other parts of the world. Some of these individuals also have shown parts of their DNA that were very similar to those of the long-extinct Neanderthal lineage. Neanderthals were thought to have lighter hair and eye colors than their Homo sapien cousins. The Continuing of Evolution New eye colors could possibly continue to evolve as mutations build up over time. Also, as individuals of various shades of eye colors breed with one another, the blending of those polygenic traits may also result in the emergence of new shades of eye color. Sexual selection may also explain some of the different eye colors that have popped up over time. Mating, in humans, tends to be non-random and as a species, we are able to choose our mates based on desirable characteristics. Some individuals may find one eye color much more appealing over another and choose a mate with that color of eyes. Then, those genes are passed down to their offspring and continue to be available in the gene pool.

Economy recession Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Economy recession - Assignment Example The former was achieved by formulating monetary policies which included lowered interest rates (as low as 0%), heavy purchase of Treasury bonds and mortgage securities and liquefaction of credit for financial markets and institutions. The deposit insurance limits for financial institutions were increased and comprehensive stress tests were conducted to ensure the stability of the existing institutions. TARP (Troubled Assets Relief Program) was launched in 2008 to navigate finances back into the banking institutions (Blinder and Zandi, 2010). These efforts ensured that the existing institutions were strengthened to face dire circumstances and that the financial system of the country was saved from its looming demise. Attempts were also directed towards the control of recession through policies. Several middle and lower class tax payers were granted with rebates, ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) was passed and several small stimulus measures were inducted. The deteriorating condition of the housing sector was rescued by reducing mortgage rates, providing of legal and larger loans, granting tax credits for homebuyers and through the bail-out services of TARP. The auto industry was also saved largely by TARP funds which revived the three major auto companies of US and the world (Blinder and Zandi, 2010). Even though the federal budget was highly strained in process, a recovery in the economic downfall and a change of course towards economic growth was achieved. It took two administrations, the Federal Reserve and the Congress to pull US out of its deteriorating economic conditions (Blinder and Zandi, 2010). Their policies are highly criticized as these had exerted immense strain on the Federal Reserve and the US Budget. Nevertheless, it is highly possible that the US economy would have been largely demolished if such aggressive actions were not