Use this Sample Basic Essay as a Model Essay Example for Free

Use this Sample Basic Essay as a Model Essay The essay below demonstrates the principles of writing a basic essay. The different parts of the essay have been labeled. The thesis statement is in bold, the topic sentences are in italics, and each main point is underlined. When you write your own essay, of course, you will not need to mark these parts of the essay unless your teacher has asked you to do so. They are marked here just so that you can more easily identify them. A dog is mans best friend. That common saying may contain some truth, but dogs are not the only animal friend whose companionship people enjoy. For many people, a cat is their best friend. Despite what dog lovers may believe, cats make excellent housepets. In the first place, people enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Who can resist a purring cat? If theyre not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior or perform tricks. Cats will even fetch! In the second place, cats are civilized members of the household. Unlike dogs, cats do not bark or make other loud noises. Most cats dont even meow very often. They generally lead a quiet existence. Cats also dont often have accidents. Mother cats train their kittens to use the litter box, and most cats will use it without fail from that time on. Even stray cats usually understand the concept when shown the box and will use it regularly. Cats do have claws, and owners must make provision for this. A tall scratching post in a favorite cat area of the house will often keep the cat content to leave the furniture alone. As a last resort, of course, cats can be declawed. Lastly, one of the most attractive features of cats as housepets is their ease of care. Cats do not have to be walked. They get plenty of exercise in the house as they play, and they do their business in the litter box. Cleaning a litter box is a quick, painless procedure. Cats also take care of their own grooming. Bathing a cat is almost never necessary because under ordinary circumstances cats clean themselves. Cats are more particular about personal cleanliness than people are. In addition, cats can be left home alone for a few hours without fear. Unlike some pets, most cats will not destroy the furnishings when left alone. They are content to go about their usual activities until their owners return. Cats are low maintenance, civilized companions. People who have small living quarters or less time for pet care should appreciate these characteristics of cats. However, many people who have plenty of space and time still opt to have a cat because they love the cat personality. In many ways, cats are the ideal housepet.

Effect of Social Responsibility on Organisation Productivity

Effect of Social Responsibility on Organisation Productivity Can social responsibilities effect the productivity of organisations in the Hospitality and catering Public thinking and opinion are the contents of the crucible from which the social fabric of a community, town, region, nation and international community are borne. The very nature of this arena (social consciousness), is an on-going evolutionary process which is reflective of the era one chooses to examine. Within the European Union legislation in varied areas has been enacted to improve the overall quality of services delivered to the public at large as well as for the benefit of workers. And while the United Kingdom is not a member of this body, the reforms, legislation and policies enacted become known and thus places the government under social pressure to enact changes in response to the overall public welfare. The progressive foundation of the United Kingdoms social policies provides a climate whereby the public expects that government stay abreast of new socially oriented developments as they develop and with such progress comes cost. The cost of enacting and overseeing same is borne by either the government, which translates is its people, and or by business. Sometimes referred to as the welfare state the United Kingdom has demonstrated historically demonstrated sensitivity to social issues and reform and this underlying foundation is comprised of three key elements which; Guarantees a set of minimum standards which includes a minimum income Provides for social protection And that services will be carried out in the best possible manner. The social welfare consciousness in the United Kingdom is extensive in terms of its embracing a broad spectrum of initiatives, thus private enterprises are bound by regulations and laws in keeping with this responsibility as established by the public trust. Those organizations that engage in extensive contact or service to the public and are particularly scrutinized and susceptible to implementation of both required (meaning legalized or regulated social policy mandates) and generally accepted norms of behaviour as well as conduct, and rightly so. Such public mandates carry with them implementation as well as ongoing maintenance costs which can manifest themselves in wage, compliance, training as well as standards in delivering and providing services. Such is the cost to the government, its populace and businesses to live in an environment which is in keeping with and reflects our modern society. These standards are particularly important when industry directly services the public as the impact of said services is immediate and on a mass scale. Given the relatively high content of labour intensity in the hospitality and catering industries, regulated or legislated changes can result in additional costs and thus reduce productivity as a result. New legislation which has been enacted for the hospitality and catering sector as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦essential regulatory guidanceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ with such having an effect that it encompasses some 1,500 pages of information. The sheer volume of this data can be overwhelming to an industry sector which is primarily composed (80%) of small sized firms (SMEs) employing 10 or fewer people. The new legislation sets standards in wages, the workplace, food preparation mandates, equipment and facility requirements which are in the publics interest as well as its employees which is the social responsibility of both the government and the industry sector (hospitality and catering), with the cost in time, expense, upgrades, modifications and compliance resulting in net expenditures that affect bottom line performance. Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Historical Social Climate The centralized governmental structure that is utilized in the United Kingdom nationalizes a social implementation process that can be traced back to the Poor Laws. These reforms, the first of which was enacted in 1598 and which drew to an end in 1958, started with; 1. the establishment of a poor rate foundation (meaning the level which established this as a social phenomenon), 2. utilization of overseers to administer relief, 3. and provisions designed to put the poor to work The Poor Laws were replaced by the passage of the; 1. 1946 National Insurance Act, which ushered in the foundations for social security 2. 1946 National Health Service Act 3. 1948 National Assistance Act that eliminated the Poor Law 4. and the 1948 Children Act The preceding developments effectively placed the countrys social policy on the path that defines its present day terms. The manner in which social policy is viewed in Europe, and its influence on the United Kingdom is an important variable in understanding why consistent changes and modifications to existing regulations, legislation and laws is necessary to keep pace with progressive developments that are in the interest of all concerned (government, citizens and the business community). This mood and historical climate help to shape the psychological parameters that act upon this area. Anderson (1983) has postulated that the social bond of deep horizontal comradeship is a key foundational element in nationalism and the corresponding socio-psychological ideology. Connor (1993) adds that the idea of nation is an emotional process and in global terms it forms an aspect of an individuals identity. The devastation in Europe that was a result of World War II created the social climate for welfares which was adopted as foundation for social policy in many European countries, including the United Kingdom. The mass scale of fragmentation as a result of refugees, displaced persons, the destruction of towns cities and the breach of national security created what leaders termed a lack of social cohesion which needed to be reinforced to provide the populace with the belief that circumstances would indeed improve as a result of policies and programs being put into place. To make this work, leaders believed that the establishment of a base level of political and economic provisions for citizens would provide assurances of the foregoing. In order to implement such policies they had to be introduced on a national level through institutions and agencies that needed to be created to administer a uniform code of social and financial services. The preceding was a major factor in why social policy in Europe is more liberalized and generous than in the United States. World War II also resulted in an elimination and or erosion of historical European monarchies and the formation of constitutional frameworks reflective of20th century thinking. The foregoing historical, political, economic and social variables are the key components blended into the European term which is the called the welfare state. The British Labour Party platform after winning the election in 1945 stated Jobs for all along with Social insurance against the rainy dayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ and included plans to attain said goals. The victory by the Labour Party was unforeseen and helped to establish a tone not only in Great Britain, but the rest of Europe as the publics vote heralded the beginnings of heightened social consciousness. 1.2 Sector Ramifications Hospitality and Catering The preceding understanding of the United Kingdoms social fabric is important in equating the recent legislation affecting the hospitality and catering sector. Both sectors are highly dependent on labor and as a result any new regulations or legislation have a deeper impact due to the labour dependant composition that characterizes its makeup. Said changes must not only be communicated, but overseen as well and these changes cannot be simply written into a software program or changes in assembly line methods, they are by and large done by individuals. Additionally the general low wage composition of this sector for a good percentage of its employees means that additional compliance slows productivity as it is primarily manual in nature. The new legislation is estimated to affect and estimated 81% of the business in this sector Economically the increase of compliance and legislative changes in the service sector as a factor of a countrys GDP decreases the economic growth rate with a corresponding decline in productivity rates due tithe costs involved. The hospitality and catering sectors are within the broader classification termed Travel and Tourism and this industry is projected to become the largest classification globally during 2005. As such the major issue facing the hospitality and catering sector is increasing productivity so that it will affect the profitability of operations. With this industry sector (hospitality and catering)representing an estimated 1 out of 12.4 jobs throughout all industry classifications the implications of increased productivity represents sizeable gain in economic strength and the corresponding effect upend (Gross Domestic Product). The composition of the companies within this industry (hospitality and catering) forms a critical component in equating the influence of social responsibility and the resultant impact on productivity as a result of expenditures to comply. It is important to understand that fully 94% of the 2.7 SMEs within the travel and tourism sector are comprised of what is termed micro-enterprises that employ less than ten (10) individuals, and 94% of this total represents approximately fifty present (50%) of the labour force. The newly enacted legislation encompasses social responsibility in that it seeks to standardize not only the delivery of services within this sector, it also benefits the individuals employed therein as well. An examination of the varied factors comprising productivity in the hospitality and catering sector to correlate the effect of social responsibilities requires an understanding of the structural as well as staffing variables within each sector along with any new regulations, laws and or legislation which might act upon bottom line performance. Chapter 2 Methodology 2.1 Gaining a Perspective As the subject of this paper asks the complex question of how social responsibilities act upon productivity, the logical point to first understand is the nature and breathe of where social responsibility emanates from and what it indeed means. The preceding broad context was undertaken to permit the gathering of information on an ad hoc basis rather than utilizing the blinders of preconceived notions or understandings which might not reflect actual circumstances or conditions as they transpired. Research methodology, regardless of personal knowledge, demands that one look at the subject with a clean mental slate in order to maintain objectivity. This means exploring the process from all conceivable angles. As understanding the implications of the foregoing formed the starting point, delving into searches via the internet was determined to be the point of origin from which to gain a perspective. The subject of social responsibility is a fluid rather than static subject. It is based upon the point in time one is looking at as social changes reflect human consciousness and awareness which is consistently evolving. However, it also based upon what preceded it in the past. The area of social responsibility has its roots in the temper and climate of the society it is borne into and how that idea was/is expounded upon. The social bond of deep horizontal comradeship as put forth by Anderson (1983) forms an important base element in the formation of nationalism as well as the corresponding socio-psychological ideology. As the historical significance of all the component parts required background information, secondary research was conducted utilizing Internet search engines to gather data from journals and articles as well as to determine what literature sources (books) to be explored. The nature of the subject is well suited to secondary research ahistorical events held the factual records of the evolution of the social policy process. Secondary research provides the benefit of obtaining detailed facts, dates and information which can be analyzed against the subject matter at hand. And while primary research gathers opinion, viewpoints and information first hand, it is a structured process that requires prior experience with the subject to formulate the basis for questions, interviews and information which form the prevailing view but not necessarily the answer. Following the historical timeline of events in society, the industry sector, government and labour provided the inputs that revealed the sources and underpinnings which contained the answers. While there are varied voluntary aspects and areas that a firm can undertake which qualify as social responsibility said measures would be difficult to equate in terms of their application, use and affect unproductivity. Therefore, the source of any social responsibly issues needed to consist of something that applied on a broad basis and was identifiable as well as fit the parameters. In this instance the source is the legislation adopted by the United Kingdom from the European Union such as the Employment Rights Act 1996) which set forth a broad spectrum of regulations, compliance and rules as well as catering legislation and regulations that have been enacted. Chapter 3 Literature Review 3.1 A Broad Spectrum of Inputs As the United Kingdom is connected by history and geographic location to the European Union, even though it has not become a member, it recognizes the broader implications of keeping in step with the developments, rules and regulations this body enacts. Within this context the United Kingdoms recent legislation affecting the hospitality and catering sectors finds its roots in said organization. Organizations such as: 1. The European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT), and 2. HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurant and Cafes in Europe, were two contributors to the EU Commission from which the broad compendium of laws, rules, regulations and policy was adopted. The following summarizes those organizations: 1. The European Federation of Trade Unions in the Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT) This organization is a federation that represents 120 trade unions throughout Europe in 35 countries (European Union and non-European Union nations). With a membership roster in excess of 2,600,000 it utilizes their input and consensus to investigate and formulate policies in a multitude of areas. EFFATs policy statement mentions that the organization is committed to sustainable development in areas such as pollution, drinking water quality and availability as well as ecological problems through dialogue and cooperation and recommendations. The organization is also cognizant of migration and immigration issues in the industries it represents and how these types of individuals form a good portion of the labour pool for the sectors it represents, thus indicating the need for effective training techniques and the associated laws and regulations to protect the interests of these groups as well as turning them into productive workers. 2. HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurant and Cafes in Europe) As one would assume the hotel, restaurant, and cafÃÆ' © sectors are governed by strong social laws, externally (for the protection of the public), and internally (for the protection of employees). The extensive numbers of measures (in excess of fifty [50]), has been identified as a source of concern by this organization as these industries are labour intensive that compliance will increase the operating costs and potentially affect employment as well as growth. Milton Friedman explains that since individuals run businesses, the social responsibility of these firms is an outgrowth of the management culture and their understanding as well as identification with the notion of social precepts. Friedman poses the question that the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦first step toward clarity.. entails understanding the context of social responsibility in terms of what it ..implies for whom. Friedman explained the fit of social consciousness in business should not become lost in the complexity as the process is simple, people run enterprises and as individuals they are influenced by society as well as being a part of it. Thus as ones influence and responsibilities increase, so does the need to expand their vision in terms of the effects of that influence and act accordingly. The requirement that individuals thinking terms of the implications and ramifications of the sphere of influence exerted by a company as well as the generation of profits. The reminder and assertion being put forward is that regardless of the profit motive, business has an obligation to other individuals as a result of the humanity of our global community. The acts of labour, government and the industry has shown that the concept of social responsibility is an active component of the hospitality and catering sector as evidenced by the following organizational meetings which included or focused on social responsibility issues as an important part of their agendas; A. World Summit for Social Development, International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme B. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms C. Ministerial Conference on Human Rights of the European Social Charter D. International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme E. Tripartite Meeting on Human Resources Development, Employment and Globalization in the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Sector The following organizations helped to set the framework for the European Commission and are examples of governmental, industry, jaborandi social consciousness which provided the specifics concerning social responsibility and its effects upon productivity, as well as means to harness this in a method which is positive for employers and employees; A. World Summit for Social Development, International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme The World Summit for Social Development meeting of March 1995 in Copenhagen pledged to reduce poverty, work toward the objective of full employment, and to foster social integration. As a United Nations organization the importance of the influence of this program is obvious, making the issues a global concern via utilization of a formal stage under the aegis of the U. N. The conference convened in Geneva in2000 to review the commitments made in Copenhagen in 1995. The importance of this initiative has moved the sphere of social policy tithe forefront of global attention. B. Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms Organized under the Council of Europe, the name of the Convention explains its origins as well as purpose. As a natural outgrowth, social policies were tabled and have helped to shape the social responsibility concerns which business needs to embrace as part of the broader human community. C. Ministerial Conference on Human Rights of the European Social Charter This Conference put forth an extensive list of employment related social and legal accords which were agreed to by the countries comprising Europeans a foundation for commercial regulations ensuring fundamental as well as progressive social rights. This list forms the underpinning of all social responsibility areas in the public arena and thus sets a standard for social corporate behaviour. The extensive list shall be elaborated on in Chapter 4. D. International Labour Organizations Sectorial Activities Programme As a separate organization devoted to labour issues the International Labour Organization segments its Sectorial Activities Programme into industrial classifications. This organization brings together business, government and people, Tripartite, so that initiatives undertaken have balance due to all entities being represented. The policies implemented by this organization have a binding effect as a result of this tripartite mixture. It actualizes discussion at other levels (meaning organizations and programs), into working realities. E. Tripartite Meeting on Human Resources Development, Employment and Globalization in the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Sector This is the industry Programme specifically devoted to the Tourism classification. The policies and areas identified by these organizations helped to form parts of the European Union enactments which was then adopted by the United Kingdom and subsequently resulted in the 1,500 pages of legislation for the Hospitality and Catering sectors which covers: 1. The Employment Rights Act of 1996 2. Working Time Regulations of 1998 3. Employment Relations Act of 1999 4. Part-Time Workers Regulations of 2000 5. 1990 Food Safety Act and subsequent amendments a. General Product Safety Regulations b. Hygiene Legislation c. Food Control Regulations d. Food Law Guide The extent of the foregoing is so extensive that they shall be discussed under the following section. Chapter 4 Analysis of Data 4.1 Social Responsibility in Modern Society In order to understand the aspect(s) of social responsibilities with regard to their effect on the productivity of firms within the hospitality and catering sector of the travel and tourism industry classification, one must first be cognizant of the broader spectrum from which this emanates, social policies which evolve from public opinion. This is also termed as a social contract which is a term that has been derived from political science and sociology to signify both real as well as hypothetical understandings or agreements within country concerning the rights and responsibilities of citizens as well as the nation. Jean Rousseau (1762) stated that the social contract is an understanding that in order for individuals to live in a society they must agree that in exchange for this society (nation) giving them certain rights such as the right to live, they also must give up certain aspects such as harming others, and that as a result the society (nation) is obligated to administer laws and rights equally as well as fairly. This social contract is a living entity that is modified, amended and adjusted by public opinion that changes the context of laws and regulations as the social consciousness of the society (nation) evolves. The implication of the foregoing is that if individuals demand and require more rights these rights carry with them the caveat that the individuals within said society (nation) also must agree to and take on more responsibilities and the nature and weight of these responsibilities increase with more rights. Simply stated, more rights mean more responsibilities and less responsibility mean fewer rights. The prior statement has been utilized to provide a foundational point of understanding to illustrate that social responsibility factors are an outgrowth of said social contract and the process is evolutionary in nature. Individuals within a society become familiar with the implications of this contract through the educational process, media, elections, voting and other communication forms. Most of the contents of this contract are understood by high percentage of the population which know that voicing said opinions through activist groups and contacting elected officials is the process by which newer theories and or applications of social practice and behaviour are updated to contemporary terms. As companies and corporations are an inherent part of the societal fabric they are bound by social codes of conduct and behaviour both legislated as well as those that are considered part of progressive thinking and behaviour. Governmental reforms and acceptance on an official basis of new theories, understandings and precepts of social conduct and responsibility is necessarily a slow process because it must weigh and consider the ramifications of each aspect and how this affects existing and accepted social norms, as well as the negative impacts and how such affect all aspects of the social fabric. This simplified summary explanation is neither in defence of or a comment on government reaction to new inputs. Not all forms or aspects of this social contract(understandings) are formalized, meaning being a part of laws or regulations, they can tend to be rules of accepted conduct or progressive thinking (and living) which become an expected part of these progressive circles. 4.2. UK Legislation As stated by Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, the number of the regulations enacted by the United Kingdom covering the hospitality and catering sectors, some 1,500pages, represents a compliance maze has become a time, cost and administrative burden for an industry primarily comprised of smaller firms. He indicated that even with amendments to reduce the total number it would still à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦impose new cost burdens which are just as onerous. The European Laws introduced since 1997 under this and other legislations has increased the compliance and administrative cost to businesses by 46% (currently  £30 billion), in what the Derby Council calls à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦red tapeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce has stated that the laws covering the protection of data, maternity as well as paternity leaves and other areas are costing businesses billions of pounds, and in a study conducted by the Burdens Barometers this figure was calculated as being in excess of  £10 billion since being put into effect in 1999. In all the total bill for areas indicated as red tape have been estimated as adding  £9 billion in costs just in 2003.The following will summarize the extensive nature of the preceding: 1. The Employment Rights Act of 1996 Consisting of 245 segments under Chapter 18 the Act sets forth Employment Particulars which are the foundation for a broad number of areas affecting the hospitality and catering sectors within the context of this paper. This Act also forms the framework for the Working Time Regulations of 1998which contains a number of amendments that represent part of the new legislation. Some highlights of this Act are: a. Employment Particulars b. Protection of Wages c. Guarantee Payments d. Sunday Working for Shop and Betting Workers e. Protection from Suffering Detriment in Employment f. Time Off Work g. Suspension from Work h. Maternity Rights I. Termination of Employment j. Right not to be Unfairly Dismissed k. Remedies for Unfair Dismissal 2. Working Time Directive The additional paperwork, regulations, new benefits and associated measures comprising the amendment to the Working Time Directive which specifies minimums for health and safety under Article 2 of Directive89/391/EEC and Article 17. The Directive amendment sets forth provisions for the following in the private and public sectors: a. rest period minimums for a days, weeks and annual vacation as well as break periods, maximum weekly hours b. aspects covering certain areas concerning night shifts, shifts and work patterns. The following sets forth provisions under the preceding sections: a. Minimum Rest Periods: 1). Article 3 Daily rest Specified as a minimum daily period of rest between working periods of 11 hours 2). Article 4 Breaks Specifies that when the shift exceeds six hours each employee is entitled to a rest break as specified and laid out in collective agreements 3). Article 5 Weekly rest period During a seven-day period each worker is entitled to the indicated11-hour daily rest and a minimum 24-hour rest period which is specified as Sunday 4). Maximum weekly working time This is subject to the prevailing country law and the total working time for the seven day period shall not exceed 48 hours (in the United Kingdom), which includes overtime b. Night Work Shifts and Patterns of Work 1). Workers on the night shift are to receive a health assessment free of charge prior to being assigned and any worker who is determined to have a health problem that is diagnosed as connected to night work shall be transferred as soon as possible to day work shifts 2). The indicated health assessment must conform to medical terms of confidentiality 3). Employers compliance with the indicated health assessment can be performed via the national health system c. Night work guarantees Certain night worker categories shall receive guarantees as specified by legislation of that country concerning risks at work to their health and or safety 1). Article 11 Notification concerning the regular utilization of night employees health and safety protection If so requested by authorized agencies and or individuals information concerning night workers shall be provided by the company 2). Article 12 Pattern of work Countries shall see that regulations are in place to guide employers in setting procedures for night employees that minimize repetitive patterns and set a rate that provides safety and health specifications 3). Article 13 Safety and health protection Countries shall see that night employees as well as shift employees have the appropriate safety and health protection applicable to the work being performed The preceding are provisions that are applicable in this instance for the hospitality and catering sector concerning social responsibility aspects whereby costs are incurred as a result of their enactment. The Employment Relations Act of 1999 sets forth those provisions that are cost additives for businesses under social responsibility: a. Maternity and Parental Leave 1999 Maternity leave is granted to employees who meet certain criteria and conditions: 1).That said employee notify the employer of the maternity leave period 21days prior to the date said leave shall commence as long as she has notified the employer of said pregnancy, the expected day of delivery and the date of maternity leave commencement. 2). Said employee shall provide the employer with documentation on said pregnancy from a licensed medical practitioner, or midwife and that such be in writing if so directed. That the employer shall allow foresaid maternity leave be at least 18 weeks. The cost additive under social responsibility in this instance is that said provision applies to all workers. In the past part time workers were not entitled and thus their return to their positions was subject to the discretion of the employer and not a right. 3). Parental Leave If an employee has been with the firm on a continual basis for a period of not less than 1 year and has direct legal responsibility for amino, then said employee shall be entitled to 13 weeks parental leave(not consecutive) and shall not lose their job as a result. a. Time off for domestic incidents Employees are entitled to paid time off for domestic incidents as set forth in collective agreements. b. Part-Time Worker Regulations of 2000 Under this provision part-time workers shall be paid at the same rates full time employees for comparable work and shall also be paid for overtime under the same understanding. The seasonal as well as temporary workers within the hospitality and catering sectors are benefited by the Act, however employers who formerly utilized this category as a justification to pay lower wages now have this as a cost additive. Part-time workers are entitled to the same coverage and other provisions of full time workers on a pro-rata basis. c. 1990 Food Safety Act and subsequent amendments The importance of regulating and ensuring the public safety is a function of government and the Food Safety Act of 1990 was enacted

Effects of Bank Mergers in the UK: Analysis

Effects of Bank Mergers in the UK: Analysis Introduction This paper takes a look at effects of Bank Mergers in the UK. It also shows how banks are affected by mergers and their effects on retail interest rates and customers. It also takes a look at how bank mergers help bring about improvement which is passed on to the customers. The main aim of the paper is to analyze the effects of Bank Mergers. It also takes a look at the environmental factors which lead to the mergers taking place. Aims and Objectives The aim of this paper is to analyse who the beneficiaries of a bank merger are and the cost analysis of the merger. It analyses the costs which are involved with the merger and its effects on the customer. The paper also deduces whether the retail interest rates are not influenced by the effects of mergers. Furthermore it also looks at how different banking products can be affected by mergers. The objectives of this work are: To review the extant conceptual frameworks and models associated with Bank Mergers To identify how mergers affect the relationship between banks and their customers To analyse the cost analysis associated with the mergers of Banks To understand the external factors which lead to mergers taking place between banks Literature Review Bank Mergers are usually subjected to anti competition or antitrust laws if they are found to be limiting the field for competition. The key to a bank merger is that it should bring about benefits to the sector instead of restricting it. There should be synergy between banks instead of tightening the noose and making it tough for everyone. If there are no savings being passed on to the customers then there is no use of a bank merger. There have been scenarios where bank mergers were not permitted by the Competition Commission as the customers would not benefit from the merger. (Competition Commission 2001). The regulatory bodies have to ensure that all gains from the merger do not benefit the merged bank but are passed on to the customers. There is a lot of scrutiny when it comes to bank mergers and identifies the relationship between efficiency and price changes after a merger has taken place. According to Farrell and Shapiro (1990) prices and retail interest rates can fall only if there were lower marginal costs before the merger of the two banks. Mergers are known to have failed if they dont bring about any savings or benefit to the customers. Mergers are not beneficial to the customer if the interest rates for customers are higher. The efficiency of merging banks influences the competition in the market. Bank mergers lead to bad conditions for the consumer if the merger does not promise efficiency. If a bank records efficiency gains after a merger then it brings about price improvements. Bank mergers tend to affect certain banking products in different ways. Research Setting The research is based upon the UK retail banking market. It examines the large and small banks and takes a deep look at the mergers which took place over the last few years and the mergers which failed to take place. Both building societies and UK retail banks are analyzed as they all offer different retail banking services. The research only includes banks that are in the UK retail banking market. The research also takes a look at the mergers which occurred between the small building societies as it is easier to gather data for that. The research has limited adding the mergers between bigger banks. RESEARCH QUESTIONS In order to make sure that the research is conducted properly we have to set a number of key questions so that the research will be able to answer them. To identify how mergers affect the relationship between banks and their customers To analyse the cost analysis associated with the mergers of Banks To analyse the external forces which lead to mergers between banks RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This particular assignment follows the traditional research methodology which allows the research to be conducted in various layers one after the other. The first one is the philosophy of Positivism where a researcher adopts the stance of a scientist who has to evaluate everything in a philosophical manner and understands the evolutionary process of how things are done. The interpretivism philosophy is where things are created due to the interaction between individuals. The research looks at all the issues associated with mergers within the banking retail market. the data is gathered through proper research. There is the need to gather quantitative as well as qualitative data in order to prove the theories and conclusions. RESEARCH APPROACH The research is conducted by examining all the data in a systematic format. Most of the data is present in documentary format along with information available in various journals and papers. All the data needs to be interpreted in a proper organized manner and needs to be separated in order to get the gist of the research. RESEARCH STRATEGY This research paper takes an in-depth look at the effect of mergers between banks and how it affects the banking products in the UK. It also examines how it can affect the interest rates in the banking sector. The paper also takes a look at the external factors which push the market in favour of mergers. It examines factors such as bear market which leads to share prices falling, dire economic situation which lead to problems, bad balance sheets which lead to a drain of capital, mergers which take place mainly due to help two troubled banks i.e. Lloyds TSB and Halifax, losses suffered by the investment arm of banks, collapse of big corporations which lead to a domino effect, hedge funds making losses and lastly due to the insurance divisions which do not do well. It also examines how the retail interest rate is affected if a merger does not go well. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS It is essential for me to follow a proper code of conduct before going ahead with my research process. There is a fine line between ethical and unethical research. The information gathered will be done with the consent of everyone and no laws shall be broken to obtain the data. I shall ask all the people interviewed to sign waiver forms and to give me indemnity from any potential problems. A point to bear in mind is not to intimidate any of the subjects or to harass them in handing over vital information. DATA COLLECTION The plan is to contact all of the various building societies and a few of the big banks which merged in the not so recent past. I need to visit them all and collect information on the types of products they have. It would help to visit someone from the corporate headquarters as retail banks would not have the competent staff which would allow me to gather the information I need. Higher ranked officials at the various banks can only give me information about how their bank products were affected and how mergers in the retail banking sector leads to different interest rates. Data will be collated through both qualitative and quantitative questionnaires, series of interviews, documentary analysis. I would also need to do a walkthrough with people from the various banks and building societies so that I can get the right idea. The questionnaires will be quite straight forward and will only comprise of a few limited questions which are closed ended. The interview process will not take long and will only be a one on one session which is also close ended. The only problem is to schedule everything within a particular timeline. There are a lot of people to interview and that is one reason why it is crucial for me to limit the time I spend on all my interviews so that I can get everything done really fast. It is also interesting to know that both questionnaires and interviews will generate different answers so special attention will have to be paid to both. Document samples are a must to be collected from the various banks in the area. The data collected will be from both primary and secondary resources. Primary Data I will gather all the primary data by simply gathering all the information via personal visits to the various banks and building societies which have been created as a result of a merger between two banks. It will be useful to find out how the banks were able to change their policies and how the merger affected their interest rates. The cost analysis will also be done after taking a look at the before and after status of the merged entities. Bank personnel will be giving me their valuable time so it would help me save time by only sticking to close ended interviews for the session. This will make it easier for both parties. The banks should hopefully provide me with documents I need to support my work and allow me to create my quantitative data. Secondary data Secondary data will be gathered with the help of external sources. It is essential to check out proper databases which deal with the type of historical data required for my analysis of the retail banking sector. The best idea for me is to base my work conducted by a researcher on the same topic. It also helps to do a bit of reading up on the topic so that I would know what this research entails. It is obvious that I wont be able to get all my data from people so I would need to gather information from journals, databases, white papers, etc. some of the data can be cited from text found in the documents supplied by the banks. DATA ANALYSIS The data needs to be examined one by one so that mistakes are not made. There are plenty of key points which can be examined only by going through it with a fine tooth comb. Data can be analysed in the form of charts, tables etc. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Finally the research can be summarised as the sort who will allow me to understand why mergers take place between banks and how the retail banking sector is affected. I will be able to make my conclusions after I have gone over everything at the end of the study. TIME FRAME OF RESEARCH The research program needs to be conducted within a specific timeline. Due to limitation of time and the amount of legwork to be conducted I need to finish my research within 22 weeks. This gives me plenty of time for discovery and to jot all my information down on paper. If I do not finish my research on time it will delay everything and create various problems.

F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay -- essays research papers

Wealth, Love, and the American Dream It has been said that F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is about the pursuit of the American dream. It has also been said that the novel is about love, ambition, and obsession. Perhaps both are true. Combined, these themes may be understood in their most basic forms among the relationships within the novel. After all, each character’s reason for belonging to a relationship speaks very strongly of what really makes him tick; each character’s manifestation of his own desires is found within his lover. Throughout the novel, what universally unites each character beyond anything else is the love of a dream or position and involvement in relationships for the success of that dream. Jay Gatsby has loved Daisy Buchanan since their romance of his youth. Beautiful, rich, and refined, Daisy serves as a symbol of Gatsby’s wealth- she represents what 17-year-old James Gatz invented himself to be. The product of years of unfulfilled waited and longing by Gatsby, she becomes a sort of trophy dream. "Her voice is full of money", Gatsby says (Fitzgerald 127). This delightful figure of speech shows precisely what Gatsby desires. The poor boy from the mid-west hoped to be a great man; Daisy has become the manifestation of this desire. Thus, he believes that by impressing her and being accepted by her he can fully posses that dream. After all, Gatsby believes that with his fabulous wealth he can buy anything he wants, especially Daisy. Longing for the love of his youth, he shapes his whole life around this objective of becoming worthy of her. "He had waited five years and bought a mansion where he dispensed starlight to casual moths so that he coul d ‘come over’ some afternoon to a stranger’s garden" (Fitzgerald 83). Daisy had become the be-all and end-all of his mad ambition, and yet, his approach is passive and wasteful. Instead of actively seeking Daisy, he throws lavish parties, hoping she will stumble in. He finally resorts to a poorly planned meeting, using Nick as an accomplice and stumbling through a reunion that he had planned for all the years she had been away. Unfortunately for Gatsby, Daisy has married in his absence the hulking, brutish Tom Buchanan, the sort of man one would have expected her to marry all along. Tom represents old money, Ame... ...re within Myrtle to make public her new station in life. Unfortunately, there is not much structure within the apartment or the relationship itself. Neither can support the goals and ambitions brought into the relationship. Just as their apartment seems cramped due to more furniture than the building allows, their relationship is crowded and messy without any real feeling or structure. What is common in these relationships is the desire for the attainment of one’s dream through the use of one’s lover. Gatsby loves Daisy because she represents wealth and success, Daisy loves Tom because he holds the promise of a continued place as a member of American aristocracy, and Myrtle loves Tom because she believes that her relationship with him will grant her a place in high society. Although these relationships may exhibit pure ambition they do not exhibit pure love. Perhaps the novel is making a statement about the nature of ambition itself. When intertwined and mistaken with love, ambition causes hurt, disillusionment, and tragedy. And thus, perhaps Fitzgerald is saying that when the American dream is one based on money and mistaken for love, tragedy occurs.

Network Security Essays -- Computers Technology Communications Essays

Network Security In the last decade, the number of computers in use has exploded. For quite some time now, computers have been a crucial element in how we entertain and educate ourselves, and most importantly, how we do business. It seems obvious in retrospect that a natural result of the explosive growth in computer use would be an even more explosive (although delayed) growth in the desire and need for computers to talk with each other. For quite some time, businesses were primarily interested in sharing data within an office or campus environment, this led to the development of various protocols suited specifically to this task. Within the last five years, businesses have begun to need to share data across wide areas. This has prompted efforts to convert principally LAN-based protocols into WAN-friendly protocols. The result has spawned an entire industry of consultants who know how to manipulate routers; gateways and networks to force principally broadcast protocols across point-to-point links. Frequently the protocol of choice has been TCP/IP which is also the primary protocol run on the Internet. The emerging ubiquitous ness of TCP/IP allows companies to interconnect with each other via private networks as well as through public networks. In today’s world businesses, governments, and individuals, all are communicating with each other across the world. While reality is rapidly approaching this utopian picture, several relatively minor issues have changed status from low priority to extreme importance. Security is probably the most well known of these problems. When businesses send private information across the net, they place a high value on it getting to its destination intact and without being intercepted by someone other than the intended recipient. Individuals sending private communications obviously desire secure communications. Finally, connecting a system to a network can open the system itself up to attacks. If a system is compromised, the risk of data loss is high. It can be useful to break network security into two general classes: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Methods used to secure data as it transits a network †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Methods which regulate what packets may transit the network While both significantly affect the traffic going to and from a site, their objectives are quite different. Transit Security Currently, there are no systems in wide use... ... monitor all activity, and very easy to quickly control what gets in and out of a network. Conclusion There are two basic types of network security, transit security and traffic regulation, which when combined can help guarantee that the right information is securely delivered to the right place. It should be apparent that there is also a need for ensuring that the hosts that receive the information will properly process it, this raises the entire specter of host security: a wide area which varies tremendously for each type of system. With the growth in business use of the Internet, network security is rapidly becoming crucial to the development of the Internet. Soon, security will be an integral part of our day-to-day use of the Internet and other networks. BIBLIOGRAPHY: Avaya Inc. â€Å"Secure and Continuous Communications† www.avaya.com [Online] Available: http://www1.avaya.com/security/?agy=Google&cmp=Security&ctv=network+security&rfr=Google.com&typ=p4p&ovchn=GGL&ovcpn=Security&ovcrn=network+security&ovtac=PPC (October 13, 2004) Net Library. â€Å"Network Security† www.netlibary.com [Online] Available: http://www.netlibrary.com/Search/SearchResults.aspx (October 15, 2004)

Human Resource Planning Essay

Definition: Human Resources Planning is defined as the process of assessing an organization’s human resources needs in the light of organizational goals and changing condition and making plans to ensure that a competent, stable workforce is employed. The actual planning process will vary a great deal from organization to organization As defined by Bulla and Scott (1994), human resource planning is ‘the process for ensuring that the human resource requirements of an organization are identified and plans are made for satisfying those requirements’. Reilly (2003) defined workforce planning as: ‘A process in which an organization attempts to estimate the demand for labour and evaluate the size, nature and sources of supply which will be required to meet the demand.’ Human resource planning includes creating an employer brand, retention strategy, absence management strategy, flexibility strategy, talent management strategy, recruitment, and selection strategy. However, James Walker pointed out that for some companies, human resources planning is essentially management succession and development planning. For others it is the staffing process which includes forecasting and planning for recruitment, deployment, development and attrition of talent in relation to changing needs. Increasingly, however, it is a broader process addressing multiple levels for increasing organization effectiveness on the management of Human Resources. According to Walker, effective human resources planning is a process of analyzing an organization human resources needs under changing condition and development of the activities necessary to satisfy those needs. Walker sees human resources planning as two step processes, planning as they pertain to all aspects of personnel management. This will include for example planning with respect to desired organizational climate and development of staff reward and appraisal system appropriate to short range and long range organizational goals. This implies that help must be proactive and as well as reactive. Pattern states that Human Resource Planning is the process by which a firm ensures that it has the right number of people and the right kind of people in the right place at the right time doing things for which they economically most useful. Fayana (2002) emphasized that human resource planning deals with the systematic and continuing process of analyzing a firm’s human resources needs under mutating conditions and developing workforce policies suitable to the long-term effectiveness of the organization. It is a vital part of corporate planning and budgeting procedure since human resources costs and forecasting both effect and are affected by long-term corporate plans. Need and Importance of HRP Human resource Planning translates the organization objectives and plans into the number of workers needed to meet these objectives. The need and importance of HRP is as follows: HRP helps in determining the future manpower requirements and avoids problems like over staffing or understaffing in the organization. HRP helps in tackling with the factors like competition, technology, government policies etc. that generates changes in the job content, skill requirements and number and types of personnel required. Now a days there is a demand of exceptional intellectual skills while the existing staff becomes redundant, the HR manager has to attract and retain qualified and skilled personnel and also required to deal with issues like career development, succession planning for which he takes the help of HRP. A proper and realistic human resource plan is needed to ensure equal employment and promotional appointments to the candidates for weaker sections, physically handicapped and socially and politically oppressed citizens. HRP provides valuable and timely information for various designing and execution of personnel functions like recruitment, selection, transfers, promotions, layoffs, training and development and performance appraisal. It helps the organization to anticipate imbalance in human resources, which in turn will facilitate reduction in personal costs. HRP facilitates planning for future needs which will help in better planning of assignments to develop managers and to ensure the organization has a steady supply of experienced and skilled employees. Factors Affecting Human Resource Planning HRP is a dynamic and ongoing process. The process of updating is not very simple, since HRP is influenced by many factors, which are as follows: 1. The type of organization determines the production process and number and type of staff needed. 2. The human resource needs of an organization depend on the strategic plan adopted by it. For e.g. the growth of a business calls for hiring of additional labor, while mergers will need a plan for layoffs. 3. Organization operates under different political, social environment and has to carefully formulate the HR policies and so the HR manager has to evolve suitable mechanism to deal with uncertainties through career developments, succession planning, retirement schemes etc. 4. HRP also depends on the time periods and accordingly the short and long-term plans are adopted. And this time span is based on the degree of environmental uncertainties. 5. The type and quality of information used in making forecasting is an important factor influencing HRP. Accurate and timely human resource information system helps in getting better quality personnel. 6. HRP is required to ensure that suitable candidates should be appointed at the right kind of job. Limitations of Human Resource Planning a. It is very difficult to ascertain future manpower requirements of an organization, as future is always uncertain. b. It is more relevant to the countries that face the problem of scarcity of human resources. c. It is a time consuming and costlier process. d. It is beneficial in the organizations that adopt a professional approach and at the same time are conscious about the changing environment. e. HRP is beneficial where adequate skilled manpower is available. f. HRP is also made difficult in the organizations that have a very high labor turnover.

Hocheng Philippines Corporation Essay

Hocheng Philippines Corporation has been well-known for their finest creations of bathroom fixtures and accessories. It has acquired latest high-tech machineries and equipped workforce to provide high-quality porcelain products which is considered to be their main priority. Most of their production relies on these machineries that might result to interruption if there will be some technical problems experienced. Back up plan should be established to at least avoid delay in production. Safety in workplace is essential and should not be neglected by the management. There is a Violation Receipt which is intended for strict compliance with the rules regarding proper attire for safety. Someone noticed to be in violation will be reprimanded. Though, while exploring all the sides of the plant, I saw employees not in their uniforms, only wearing shorts and are topless which maybe is permissible to the management since these specific employees are under casting process. On the other hand, I noticed that there are a lot of ceiling fans that help in fast drying of the clays molded/ceramics that make much of the dust spread in air around the place which requires wearing of masks whenever in the workplace, but none of them wears one. This could be a huge risk in their health. The company must provide a strong policy regarding the implementation of wearing mask every time they are exposed to dust, come up with an excellent way to oblige employees in obeying with the plant instructions for worker protection and inform them about the hazards. Furthermore, there is only a little supervision from the management to its employees in actual testing of the outputs. One of them disclosed that before packing, testing the ‘flush’ should be made, but this is sometimes made randomly, and not for the entire units. There should be someone responsible for ensuring that all products went under testing and that all the employees are doing their jobs, most especially for those employees sleeping during lunch breaks. Someone must be roaming around, to check if none of them does that during work hours. Good thing about the production process is that it is well automated which minimizes human intervention and speeds up the process. But its huge reliance to machines results to possible delay in production if even just one part of it fails to function properly. If the machine crashes or experiences some technical problems, the production will be in halt. Thus, back up equipment or plan should be prepared by the management in case this happens. Sanitation and freshness were well-emphasized by the company. Of course, those are essential and of a great deal to their consumers. As a matter of fact, it was shown in the video that the pans used in baking are regularly and intensively cleaned and how these are cleaned but none was indicated about cleaning the machines used. Dough is not only placed on the pans, these also touch other parts of equipment before reaching the packaging section. It is impossible that these machines will never be subject to dirt, even if it is in a closed area. Therefore, they should find a way to maintain these machines sanitized, cleaning them regularly as possible without affecting the time allotted for the production. Upon observing in a short span of time, though in a limited view, a huge bulk of dough came into my attention. It was at the floor. I have no idea regarding the plan for that filthy dough but most probably, it is not going near our mouth. Hence, it should be segregated to a separate container, clearly emphasizing that it is no longer to be used for production to ensure that confusion will be avoided and that there is no chance of accidentally including it to clean ones. Strength Hocheng Philippines Corporation has been well-known for their finest creations of bathroom fixtures and accessories. It has acquired latest high-tech machineries and equipped workforce to provide high-quality porcelain products which is considered to be their main priority. As what one of the employees said, â€Å"We do not let our product even with just a small slight crack reach our customers. † In fact, all processes have TQC (Total Quality Control). There is QA (Quality Assurance) every month, like an auditing to randomly check if quality requirements are met to have quality-products. It serves as systematic requirement, a comparison with a standard. In addition to this, every certain period, there is four-hour training for skills development of the current employees. Kanban System is implemented in the company. It is a scheduling system for lean and JIT (Just-in-time) production, which has been proven to be a great way for improvement in the entire production. And, there is automation in maintaining/monitoring inventory. To simplify and speed up in updating the inventory level, the company uses barcode. However, for those items that are broken or defective, updating in inventory system is done manually and it is handled by three people, eliminating the possibility of having false information regarding these outputs. HCG uses Proximity scan (through ID) in entering the plant. This improves efficiency and reduces the possibility of deception. Furthermore, check list of materials to be used for casting is prepared by an immediate supervisor and if the materials prepared are found out to be insufficient, the employees themselves will approach a person in charge to have material requisition. Also, there is move ticket to authorize every time there will be transferring of materials. Almost stages in the whole system require documentation. Even for those items that are to be disposed, are being accompanied by appropriate records which help in audit trail purposes.