Strategic information system Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategic information system - Essay ExampleThis study mainly focused on a championship related company. An information system comprises of transaction processing systems, management information systems, systems for decision-making support as well as strategic information systems. The information itself consists of the bear upon data which is coded to the person using. A system refers to a set of elements that are designed to operate together so as to provide a jet purpose Ramesh et al 1997). In information systems, the basic element is data which basically refers to raw, unevaluated details, figures, symbols, events and other resourceful facts concerning the originations needs. Hence data is born-again by the processor which is mainly computers into meaningful information that is useful to the user who in turn uses it in making decisions. Good information should be relevant, be timely, accurate, cost-effective, reliable, usable, exhaustive, and have aggregation level. Informatio n is only important if it is directed to improve decision making activities. It can also be important if it is able to reaffirm the previous decision. ... The data collected during the knowledge stage are then used by statistical methodologies and other models to forecast possible results for e very(prenominal) utility(a). for each one alternative can also be studied in ensuring technological, behavioral, and economic viability. In making of the choice, the decision maker must choose the best alternative which is suitable contributing to achieving the goals of the make-up. The choices made can in turn reviewed during implementation and monitoring so that the manager to can make necessary faults. Therefore, information is very critical in the four stages of decision making which only is made more effective by systems, Simon (1977). Strategic importance of information in organization through use of systems They are useful in supporting business processes and operations. Information systems help the manager in their daily routine operations so that they function properly and effectively. For instance accounts, payrolls, employee benefits data protection and so on. In particular, the managers are able to conduct their daily activities wit a lot of ease, timely, accurately by use of software. Secondly, IS are essential in decision-making processes for employees and managers. This is simply input of data, processing the finally generating information. Therefore, managers are able to use the information processed for conclusion various solutions to the organization. For instance, information systems are able to analyze existing historical data about the rate of flow of customers and make necessary improvements if the turn up is very low. They also provide support in making decisions critically for competitive advantages. Information systems can provide information concerning the type

Concert report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Concert report - Essay ExampleThe variations are played without any gap. A person not having knowledge of medicine cannot differentiate in variations. Classical touch of music and use of different variations in continuity is the beauty of the concert. In the Tchaikovsky Variations a fresh kaleidoscope joining together procedural fireworks with demonstrative lyricism and an exciting choice that motivated Liszt to favourably say This is real musicThe music is very delicate and musicians showed rhythm in moving from one variation to the next one. Antique-edged radixs through each of the seven vibrantly contrast variations and postscript with a skilful concern for tonal range, colour and balance as well. Capuons agile solo line is competently playful, sad and fervent by turns, Gergiev successive with a love-struck precision of touch to offer a reading that is delicate but not very deliberate, elegantly refined without ever keeping transcendence in danger.Although the musicians had to play for a long time but they controlled every moment of orchestra. The instruments used were mainly woodwind, horns and strings and a lot of effort is subgross in coordination of instruments.The musicians technical ability sounds very good and energetic. Specially the feelings which they convey in a variation and then smooth inflection from one variation to another shows the technical quality and skill of musicians. This a great display of classic music. This performance is equal to famous Rostropovich/ Karajan performance that is on DG.Yes, they really seem well prepared for the concert. Just feel the lyrics and continuity of emotions and variation carried forward by the musicians. Every theme and variation was able to understandably convey the message to viewers and occupy their mental feelings with classical music. Now if we talk about the first variation, it is in triplets, and when it reaches the mid point then theme is redefined by orchestra. The sound is high quality and

Synthesis essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Synthesis - Essay ExampleHowever, some people never get to experience true joy and that is hwy the constitution of the United States of the States includes in its bill of rights the pursuit of gratification. This shows that happiness is not just a guaranteed good feeling but a positive feeling that one mustiness strive for.In my opinion, happiness is a positive feeling just as most people believe. Happiness comes from within an individual whenever he or she chooses to let that feeling in. however, I also believe that situations do really influence the sense of happiness that a person feels. Negative turn of events and misfortunes do really kill the feeling of happiness in most people if not all. A good example is the lost of a loved one. In as much as some people may believe in eternal happiness in the case of death, many people would shew to the fact that losing a close family member or friend does not bring any happiness at all. I also believe that happiness is a lasting good f eeling rather than just a felling of short term satisfaction.From the lecture notes, I got to learn of the different philosophical beliefs as to the attainment of happiness. Socrates believed that human actions were aimed at achieving true happiness. Therefore, happiness was the reason behind the acts of man, whether right or wrong. According to Socrates, happiness is a state of living thoroughly in peace, mindfulness, and joy (Kohn & Michael 25) From the class notes also, I found out that other philosophers such as Plato, believed in the term pleasure rather than happiness. Pleasure took the mixed bag of some being higher than others, such as appetitive and sexual pleasure being regarded as the lowest of pleasures due to their constant reoccurrence (Kohn & Michael 48). Plato analyzed happiness in terms of the hierarchy of pleasures and the categories of the soul. Other philosophers that I came to learn of, such as Aristotle, believed that happiness only results from positive habi ts. Having

Working Conditions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Working Conditions - Assignment ExampleThe usual theme is having cigarettes adds masculinity to men and attract more women. It can be linked to social bonds. both(prenominal) examples of songs depicting cigarettes are My Cigarette and I, Smoke Rings, Smokin in the Boys Room, Pass that Peace Pipe and many more. The songs appealed to the mass that caused the increasing popularity of cigarettes way before the billboard advertisements desire Joe Camel and Marlboro Man (Cooper and Haney, 1999). It is not only used as a status symbol because of its medical uses. In the form of powder, aqueous solution, ointment and extracts, tobacco was accordingly used to treat tetanus, lack jaw, oedema, spastic dysuria, neurosis, constipation, smoke enemas and arsenic poisoning (Haustein and Groneberg, 2010).Despite of the popularity of cigarette and tobacco, it remains a public health enemy figure of speech one because it is the leading cause of death in the United States. Consuming cigarettes cause s several diseases like cardiovascular diseases, cancer of the lungs, respiratory ailments such as bronchitis and emphysema and other forms of cancer like laryngeal, oral and stomach cancers (Schneider, 2011).In line with the negative health effects of cigarette smoking, several efforts had already been done in the United States. In 1971 the tobacco ads had been banned by the Congress along the airways while in 1984 the Smoking Education Act had been passed together with four strongly worded cigarette warnings in advertisements and cigarette packages. In 1986 the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act had been passed (Pampel, 2009).Since then California is the state that adapted whatever specific measures to manage the risk of cigarette smoking then followed by New York in 2003. The smoking law in New York was signed by Coy. George E. Pataki which includes many strict measures but with exemptions like licensed cigar bars in New York City, America-Indian-owned

Ethics of Compliance Southwest Essay Example for Free

Ethics of Compliance southwestward EssayThe purpose of this paper is to present, discuss, and examine the topic of ethical and kindly responsibility. It will discuss southwestern United States Airlines failure to comply with the Federal Aviation Administrations rules on inspecting aircraft and what violations occurred. On March 6, 2008, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors submitted documents to the United States Congress, alleging that southwesterly allowed 117 of its aircraft to fly carrying passengers despite the fact that the planes were not airworthy according to air goloshty investigators.In some trips, the planes were allowed to fly for up to 30 months by and by the revaluation deadlines had passed, rendering them unfit to fly. Records indicate that thousands of passengers were flown on aircraft deemed unsafe by federal standards. Clearly, this is an issue tied to social responsibility and ethics at the highest level, ignoring the safety inspections f ound states lives in jeopardy. This situation actually began in 1988, when an Aloha Airlines Boeing 737 suffered an accident that killed a flight attendant.The top of the planes fuselage tore off, opening up a large office of the planes roof, killing the flight attendant. The accident occurred because of cracks in the planes fuselage. Since then, the FAA has required regular inspections of 737 fuselages to ensure an accident uniform this does not occur over again. In 2007, two FAA inspectors began to question funding and inspections at southwest Airlines. They had reason to be business concerned, because they felt their concerns were being do by, and their supervisor was not investigating their complaints.FAA inspectors Bobby Boutris and Douglas Peters testified before Congress about their experiences, and asked for whistleblower status, meaning they could not be fired from their jobs because of their testimony. Boutris was the first to question records kept by south-west about airplane inspections. In 2003, he was in charge of inspecting engines for the 737, and he could formalise the Southwests reports. He told an NPR Radio reporter, I had found a lot of inconsistencies with the records, Boutris says. They were different from aircraft to aircraft it was very hard to determine compliance (Goodwyn, 2008). He notes that he complained to his supervisor, Douglas Gawadzinski, but he ignored Boutris complaints. In 2006, Boutris took over safety responsibility for the entire 737-700 series aircraft, and when he reviewed Southwest, he found the same recordkeeping problems he had uncovered in 2003. He notified his supervisor and wanted to send a letter of investigation, again his supervisor Gawadzinski refused to acknowledge his concerns.Boutris believes it is because Gawadzinski had a close friendship with Paul Comeau, a former FAA employee who went to work for Southwest as their manager for regulatory compliance. Anything to do with Southwest and the FAA w ent through these two men, and Boutris believes they routinely covered up inspection irregularities or lack of inspections. Boutris continued to complain, and Southwest asked for him to be removed from their inspections. Reporter Goodwyn continues, At first, Gawadzinski refused to remove Boutris.But it wasnt long before the supervisory alimentation inspector told Boutris he was out and that his career was in jeopardy because there had been undisclosed complaints from anonymous Southwest officials (Goodwyn, 2008). At this point, Douglas Peters, another FAA inspector, were brought in to review Boutris investigation into Southwests compliance. Goodwyn notes, The more(prenominal) he looked into the matter, the more he concur with Boutris that the flying public was in danger. Peters says the situation defied logic. That something so critical would be not addressed I cant explain it.Its a mystery (Goodwyn, 2008). People from Southwest began to contact Gawadzinski directly, instead of going through Peters. Another reporter states, The whistle-blowers complained repeatedly in memos written in 2007 that their concerns about Southwest were not being interpreted seriously. The underlying safety concern the air lane was unable to keep up with mandatory inspections had been raised as early as 2003, 1 charged (Levin, 2008). Finally, in March 2007, Southwest admitted to flying 47 737s without completing the problem fuselage inspections, which triggered a Congressional investigation.Even more disturbing, the airline continued to fly the planes counterbalance after disclosing they had not been inspected it took almost a week to ground the planes. The two men testified before Congress in April 2008, and the FAA fined Southwest $10. 2 million for the blunders. Reporter Levin continues, dwell month, nearly a year after the initial problems were discovered, the FAA levied a $10. 2 million fine against Southwest. The vast majority of the fine was imposed because Southwe st had apprised that it stopped flying the planes as soon as it learned of the missed inspections, FAA officials said (Levin, 2008).These are the basic facts and timeline of the case. The major overriding issue in this case is that the FAA and Southwest conspired to cover up inspection information, and they did so at passengers and crewmembers expense. The inspections were mandated because the FAA knew this particular plane had critical safety issues. By not inspecting planes and allowing them to continue flying, they were putting everyone on those planes in jeopardy, and they knew it. That is perhaps the biggest ethical concern of this case, that the high society knew they had not completed checks, but continued to fly the planes anyway.One of the whistleblowers was told they did not ground the planes because it would disrupt Southwests dish and flight schedule (Goodwyn, 2008). Every airline has a social responsibility to keep their passengers and crews as safe as possible. Flyi ng is a relatively safe form of travel, however accidents do occur. Maintaining high livelihood and safety standards is simply the right thing to do in the transportation industry it is the ethical, moral, and socially responsible for(p) for(p) choice. For an airline to lower those standards, especially because of worries about disruption of service, is simply incomprehensible.For example, the entire airline would be in jeopardy if one of the planes had crashed, and it was found to fork out been because of a crack that was not detected because of a missed inspection. Indeed, inspections on the aircraft did turn up cracks in some of the planes in question, cracks that had to be repaired before the airplanes took flight again (Wilber, 2008). Thus, Southwest put people in danger, and that is a major ethical violation that has not thoroughly been addressed in the media or by the airline itself.In addition, the FAA was compliant in this ethical transgression, because they allowed it to happen, calling into question the integrity of the organization that is supposed to be primarily concerned with airline safety and guardianship. If the place doing the oversight is questionable, it brings the entire system into question. This issue should be studied further because it raises so many moral and ethical questions, and it should be studied because it appears, since there seem to be no lasting ramifications for the FAA, that it could happen again, which is even more disturbing.The stakeholders in this case are the people who fly on Southwest Airlines. Southwest disgraced their constitution by letting down their stakeholders, and that is extremely disturbing. They put passenger safety in jeopardy over worries about income and disrupted flights, when their first concern should take a leak been safety and only safety. This calls into question the entire integrity of the company. This is more than just the classical interpretation of right and wrong, it is a moral dilemma that should assimilate had an extremely simple closure.Ground the planes, inspect them as quickly as possible, and get them back in the air. The fact that there was any other solution seen to the problem indicates just how unethical and morally irresponsible Southwest was, and the stakeholders should demand compensation for the threat this decision made to their safety. Southwest simply got lucky that one of the affected planes did not develop more serious issues, and the $10. 2 million dollar fine seems quite low in retrospect, considering the damage that could have occurred to people and property had a plane crashed.The economic responsibility of this situation is clear Southwest had to pay a large fine and ground the planes, losing revenue anyway. Their reputation suffered, although it did not seem to declare a dent in their passenger. Most people did not even seem to care that Southwest had endangered them and only a few spoke out in blogs or in other areas when the n ews broke. Southwest has a serious responsibility to keep its passengers and crews safe, and they muddled the trust of at least some people because of their callous disregard for safety.That is a huge moral responsibility, and Southwest has never really acknowledged their failure, which is an even larger ethical concern, it seems. In a statement before Congress, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said, Our compliance with certain specific Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness directives has been called into question. We have committed to a thorough review and to make any changes necessary to ensure that we are in full compliance with FAA airworthiness directives and our own maintenance programs, policies, and procedures (Kelly, 2008).However, in previous testimony before Congress, Kelly and Southwest Executive Chairman Herb Kelleher both maintained that Southwest did comply with all FAA requirements, and the safety of passengers was never in question (Kelly, 2008). Thus, South west maintains they complied with all FAA regulations and did inspect the aircraft, only under a different maintenance directive than the one the two whistleblowers charged had not been done. It seems like a technicality, and that Southwest is not taking true moral or ethical responsibility for the incidents.They also stated that they did not think they would be fined for the maintenance issues, and it seems as if in their testimony, they were attempting to lay groundwork to fight a fine. However, they did eventually back down and stop contesting the fine, probably because they felt they looked bad enough already. more or less recommendations for this case have already been completed. The FAA inspector, Gawadzinski, was transferred to another division, without contact with Southwest.Southwest placed several maintenance and safety personnel on leave, and developed new maintenance and safety guidelines. The two top executives maintain they did not know about the 2007 maintenance char ges until March 2008, and as soon as they learned of them, they implemented stronger maintenance and communication directives so they would be notified and aware of any problems. These would have been at least some of the recommendations made in this case.Another would be for Southwest to bear up under a major campaign to gain back the publics trust, as many people would seem to have trust issues in flying on Southwest planes. This would include a media campaign that would address trust issues, and perhaps even a campaign including top executives flying on their own planes. This would not be too costly or difficult to administer, and it would let people know that the company is actually sorry about its actions and is going to be more responsible in the future.It also seems as if the company should apologize to their stakeholders and their crewmembers, not in front of Congress, but in front of them, and with humility. Frankly, their testimony and apology to Congress sounded defendi ng and insincere, and a true measure of humility might be to offer anyone who flew on those planes some type of compensation or personal apology to make the situation even a little bit more palatable. Of course, that would entail a large expense, but it would make their intentions a bit more acceptable.Finally, they have to be open and above board with their maintenance issues and they have to make quite certain there is nothing questionable about any of their practices. Their maintenance and safety department must be impeccable, and it must always be open to scrutiny not only by the FAA, but by the public, as well. They owe that, at the very least, to the people that choose to fly on Southwest Airlines. In conclusion, this case indicates how deeply ethical issues can affect a business. Allowing planes to fly uninspected is a terrible disservice to the passengers and crews of this airline.It indicates a deep-seated lack of respect for the public, the employees, and the agency create d to maintain air travel safety. It also indicates an arrogance that the company can flaunt the system and win. Southwest Airlines has deeper issues than maintenance and safety. It has to take a strong look at its ethics and principles, and alter them to create a more socially responsible organization that respects and values the people it serves. Without a change, the organization will certainly suffer more ethical violations in the future.

International Political Economy Essay Example for Free

international Political Economy EssayInternational fiscal fund (IMF) is an international musical arrangement composed currently with around 184 genus Phallus countries representing more or less all the nations in the world with an exception of a few. After the failure of Breton woods it came as a substitute of a regulatory monetary authority. The disposal oversees the global pecuniary system by implementing macro scotchs indemnity and monetary policies aimed at change the economys the constituent nations. The organization was formed with an objective of stabilizing international monetary lay outs and enhancing economic burstment among the division states. Similarly International pecuniary Fund offers leveraged loans to underdeveloped countries to stimulate their economic growth and victimisation. At an extent IMF encourages in promoting expansion, and balanced growth of international trade done co-operation with other bodies like World Trade Organization and W orld Bank. The organization overly helps in maturation a multilateral system for openment of current transactions. Despite the positive attributes from the organization it has come under severe attack from many experts and organization because of some of their inefficiency of their policies and their inefficaciousness to the targeted programs.Some of the policies used by the organization in trying to address the economic imbalances in developing nations chip in been ineffective as they work caused adverse effects to the member countries especially third world countries. In certain extent the organization has been used as a tool by the developed nations to propagate political interests of their masters through giving out conditional loans to poor nations and proposing for poor policy changes. The paper analyzes the roles of IMF and its policies and the effectuality of those policies.Although other policies ware used by the organization had positive results others technically c ontributed to economic underdevelopment in close poor nations. Roles of International Monetary Fund International monetary fund plays various significant roles in the global economy International monetary fund was open to help member countries rectify their economies by providing guidance and monitoring economic development in those nations. IMF is also engaged in ensuring there ar sound pecuniary policies formulated and implemented by the member states.Through extensive research and analysis the organization comes along with proposition which help in developing effective fiscal policies in bicycle-built-for-two with coarses existing policies. Sound financial policies proposed by the organization argon meant to strengthen the financial system of the global markets and member countries. An effective financial system promotes economic growth and reduction of poverty by mobilizing savings and allocating them to productive uses (World Bank, 2004, p. 72). International monetary fund provides three types of direction to member countries.That is iso symmetrical surveillance, regional surveillance, and multilateral surveillance. zygomorphous surveillance mostly involves discussions between international monetary fund, and the member country (Axel 2006, p 769-788). To begin the discussions in bilateral surveillance, IMF technocrats unremarkably visit the member nation to collect information, and hold discussions with government officials in that country so as to gather comely information about the area. isolated from government officials, IMF experts also hold discussions with other members in the country such as labor unions and officials from the private sphere of influence and civil society.This is to gain more familiarity on the economic positioning of the country, and assess opportunities and potential threats. After the mission, the IMF staff holds meeting with the authorities to inform them on the findings obtained, risks and outlook. Bilateral surveillance helps identify risks to financial stability and international monetary fund in the member country. IMF uses bilateral surveillance to provide advice to member countries on the need to adjust certain policies. Bilateral surveillance helps IMF complement multilateral surveillance. Multilateral surveillance is important as it helps IMF strengthening its surveillance efforts.It helps IMF detect systemic risks and increase awareness of the risks in member countries. It also helps identify interdependencies in the international economy. Multilateral surveillance helps IMF identify developments in the global economy. It also helps the organization evaluate financial markets, and the outlook. Moreover, multilateral surveillance helps IMF identify changes to policy, and also effects caused by policies on member countries. IMF is working hard to enhance global discussions of economic connections among countries. This is to improve international trade among the countries (Axel 20 06, p 769-788). IMF provides regional surveillance to member countries.Regional surveillance helps IMF monitor regional developments, and policies used by supra national authorities. Regional surveillance helps complement bilateral surveillance as it provides information from more than one country. Regional surveillance is important for members of currency unions. This is because policies in important areas of IMF are determined at regional level. In regional monitoring, discussions with country officials are carried out, and the report is represented sepa regularizely.Formal procedures are used to conduct surveillance and evaluation over the monetary, and exchange rate policies of European nations. International monetary fund has strengthened its policies on monitoring measures so as to help eliminate concerns like vulnerability to balance of payment. These measures help in eliminating external sustainability and currency crisis in many countries and these are some of concerns that have affected many countries. IMF has developed several initiatives to help improve the say-so of bilateral trade. For example, the organization has established external vulnerability assessment.It has also developed initiatives to strengthen surveillance in the financial sector. The initiatives used to provide surveillance in the financial sector include a financial sector assessment program, and prevention of wastage of money. Other measures include prevention of terrorism financing, and assessment of offshore financial centre. IMF has also adopted other initiatives to help in improving its efforts. The organization has improved data provide to IMF, and also analyzing surveillance systems in member countries (Axel 2006, p 769-788). IMF helps in ensuring monetary policy in member countries are utilized effectively so as to prevent rising prices (Axel 2006, p 769-788).International Monetary fund intervenes in trying to stabilize the exchange rate among member states. After the c ollapse of the Breton woods the main aim was to regulate the exchange rate of nations in order to avoid financial and economic imbalances IMF in this instance developed policies meant to help stabilize the exchange rate between countries. Mostly the organization favors a floating exchange rate and constant evaluates monitors and give recommendation on the appropriate exchange rate policies.At the same time IMF tries to develop monetary and exchange rate policy proposals in line with the individual countries policies. Exchange rate is critical in determination of a countrys monetary and trade policies. Monetary policy is used by monetary authorities to determine and regulate the circulation of money in the economy thus straightaway influencing the financial and economic measures to be taken. Determination of interest rates comes from the monetary policies decision taken. Adjustment of the interest rates either by lowering or increasing influence the pattern of the economic growth.Lo wer interest rates tend to stimulate economic growth and development. In this case monetary policy helps in enhancing economic growth, and stability in a country. IMF gives advices to countries on how to use monetary policy appropriately. Monetary policy is also used to prevent inflation in a country by raising interest rates. Monetary policy is important to member countries as it helps in improving economic status of the countries, and also enhancing development in the country. Countries with pegged exchange rates tend to unfairly compete with others in trade. A nonher role of International Monetary Fund is supply of loans to member countries.The organization provides loans to member countries experiencing balance of payment problems and economic difficulties. The loans provided by IMF are important to member countries as they help countries improve their international reserves, and pay for import (Axel 2006, p 769-788). The fund also helps countries stabilize currencies, and impr ove economic situations in the country so as to enhance economic growth in the country by adjusting policies to correct underlying problems.Funds provided by IMF help member countries improve national policies in the countries so as to eliminate problems. This is through restructuring of existing policies or creating new policies. IMF does not provide loans for specific projects in member countries. Member countries are encouraged to borrow from IMF if they have no enough funds to finance projects so as to meet their international payments. That is if the country cannot find enough financing to meet its net international payments and maintaining international buffer.IMF provides loans to member countries having financial problems so as to correct policies in the country, and carry out reforms. Countries are encouraged to use funds from IMF to adjust economic policies in the country so as to beat economic crisis. This is important as it helps countries correct their financial balanc e, and improve conditions in the country. The funds enable countries to continue paying for imports, improve their international reserves and stabilize currencies. A member country has to follow the right lending process provided by IMF so as to get loans.IMF loans are provided under an agreement between the country, and IMF. The country provides enough reasons as to why it needs the money, and then economic program is established after the agreement. The program is established by country and IMF and presented to the right people. After the arrangement is approved then, IMF releases the funds in installments as the country continues to implement the program (Axel 2006, p 769-788). International monetary fund has established facilities that are customized to address specific situations of its member countries.Developing countries use different facilities from developed countries to access IMF loans. Low income countries use extended reference facility, and other facilities to borrow loans from IMF. These facilities allow countries to borrow on concession terms. Countries can access non- concessional loans via stand by arrangements, and other facilities that offer such loans. The organization provides indispensability assistance to member countries to help them recover from natural disasters and conflicts (Axel 2006, p 769-788). Effectiveness of IMF PoliciesIMF uses various policies to help member countries improve their situations in the country, enhance economic growth, and financial stability. The policies include structural adjustment policies, financial crisis policies, and poverty reduction policies. Most people have criticized IMF policies for their ineffectiveness. This is because the policies implemented by International monetary organization have worsened economic conditions in member countries rather than improving the prevailing situations. The main role of IMF is to improve economic and financial stability in member countries using the policies na med above.So far the IMF policies have not helped eliminate economic crisis in many countries and instead it has been contrary to expectations. The policies have affected developing countries more than developed countries as these countries depend on funds and advice from IMF to improve their economic status. (Robert and Jong-Wha 2002, p 1245-1269). Structural adjustment Policy is a shift of policies implemented by member nations mostly poor nations towards those guided and advised by IMF for purposes of qualifying to get financial and economic assistance.Structural adjustment policies have been criticized by scholars and experts as they have been seen as instruments of accelerating poverty and underdevelopment. Political shifts and governance reforms are always expected from the member nations expecting to benefit from the IMF. Most often the policies are in line with the system of governance of the developed nations (custodians of the IMF) which are deemed to be effective and effi cient. Free trade and market liberalization is always encouraged by the IMF.Structural policies force countries to slash government spending and encourage privatization which also open up countries to exploitation by foreign investors. Structural adjustment policies have increased the level of poverty in many countries by causing many workers to loose jobs and reduction in income for workers due to free markets as most enterprises are sold to foreign investors who implement effective measures. The policies have given debt payment and economic development priority compared to education and health services.IMF has encouraged developing countries to lower living conditions of their citizens. This has affected provision of services in developing countries much. The policies have lead to shortage of the work force in developing countries as most companies, and health centers cannot afford to hire enough personnel (Ngaire 2002, p 83-100). IMF lending policies are condemned because of the conditionality associated with the policy. IMF forces member countries to adjust economic policies so as to overcome problems that led the countries to borrow funds from IMF.The international monetary lending policies are used to provide loans to member countries. The funds help member countries improve their economic status. International monetary lending policies do not serve member countries well. The policies are not flexible, and countries do not get enough money. The conditionality help IMF fill out if the country is able to repay the loan given. Developing countries do not get enough loans to finance projects in the country. Shortage of funds in developing countries hinders economic growth and increases poverty.The policy force developing countries cut their spending so as to have enough funds for development projects. The policies are not flexible enough to help developing countries get enough funds. In addition, the funds provided by international monetary fund are not eno ugh to help countries eliminate problems. This prevents control of disasters and crisis in the country (Bird and Rowlands 2002, p 173-186). Conclusion The roles of IMF are very significant and critical in ensuring the stability and economic development of not only the member nations but the entire world in general.However Economic policies implemented by International monetary are not effective as they cause stifle economic growth. The economic policies are made to help developing countries improve economic growth, but they encourage economic stagnation. This is because developing countries cut spending in other sectors to get enough funds. Member countries have to cut spending on health sector, the education sector so as to get funds to adjust economic policies in the country. IMF encourages member countries to follow conditions established be fore accessing loans.The member countries are call for to adjust policies in the country to overcome problems that have caused economic cri sis in the country. This forces countries to concentrate on adjusting economic policies, but not development projects in those countries. This affects provision of crucial services in health care sectors and education. They also lead to lack of employment in developing countries. This leads to poor economic growth in developing countries (Axel 2004, p 445-464).

Hp External Analysis Essay Example for Free

Hp External Analysis EssayHewlett Packard External Environment Analysis Hewlett Packard External Environment Analysis In todays constantly evolving business world, it is essential for organizations to fully master and incorporate strategic management theory into decision making servees. As the worlds gargantuanst engineering club, HP brings to put upher a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services, and IT infrastructure to solve customer problems (Hewlett Packard, 2010). HP is wellhead positioned to outperform the market. The strength of HPs portfolio is leaner toll structure and accelerating market momentum that gives the confidence to raise the full year outlook (Hurd, 2010). virtuoso of the most principal(prenominal) aspects of Hewlett Packards strategy building is an digest of the away business purlieu that they operate in.As pointed out in the text Strategic Management. Concepts and Cases Competitiveness and Globalization, The firms under standing of the external milieu is matched with knowledge about its internal purlieu to form its vision, to develop its mission, and to identify and implement actions that result in strategic competitiveness and above-average returns. (Hitt, Ireland, and Hoskisson, 2009) In this paper, there entrust be an analysis of Hewlett Packards external business environment and its impact on the firms strategic business continuity plan, including examination of the ternary components of the external environment, the usual environment, the industry environment, and the competitor environment. External Environmental Analysis Before analyzing Hewlett Packards external influences, it is important to highlight the specific processes in an external environmental analysis.This analysis is performed so that firms can correctly identify potential opportunities and threats in their external environment, and involves continually scanning, supervise, forecasting, and assessing segments of the usual environment. Scanning is the process of studying distributively segment of the general environment to identify upcoming or ongoing changes that can impact the firm. Monitoring refers to observing the changes identified in the scanning process to determine if a particular trend can be singled out which would have significant consequences for the firm.Trend identification is an important aspect of monitoring, as well as recognizing the trends effect on the firms stakeholders. Forecasting takes the changes and trends that scanning and monitoring produced, and attempts to formulate useful predictions based on those changes and trends. One important factor in forecasting is identifying the time frame and rate of change for trends, so that the firm does not miss an fortune or get caught off guard by a threat. The final step in external environmental analysis is assessing. The objective of assessing is to determine the timing and significance of the cause of environmental changes and t rends on the strategic management of the firm. (Hitt, Ireland, and Hoskisson, 2009) The prime focus of assessing is determining the impact of forecasted trends on strategic direction of the firm. Assessing decides if an opportunity or threat requires a change in plans, or the firm to take a new direction. General Environment The first component of the external environment is the general environment. The general environment is composed of dimensions in the broader society that influence an industry and the firms within it. (Hitt, Ireland, and Hoskisson, 2009) These dimensions of broader society are further classified into six categories. The six categories of the general environment are demographic, economic, political and legal, socio-cultural, technological, and global. A large, global firm like Hewlett-Packard will find opportunities and threats in each aspect of the general environment. The demographic folk of the general environment includes factors much(prenominal) as popul ation size, age structure, ethnic mix, income distribution, and geographic distribution.Hewlett-Packards market position as the worlds largest technology company requires careful consideration of demographic factors. Hewlett-Packards strategic continuity is impacted by this factor because it must identify markets with the correct demographic to provide an opportunity to sell its computer products. Markets with an unfavorable income distribution or an older age structure may need to be avoided until more favorable conditions arise. The economic category of the general environment includes factors such as interest rates, gross domestic product, and business savings rates.Hewlett-Packards continuity strategy is impacted by economic factors in a similar fashion as it is impacted by demographics. Markets located in a strong economy represent opportunities for the firm. Additionally, developing economies may provide lower interest rates, or favorable business savings rates. Economies in decline can represent a threat to Hewlett-Packard, as high-priced computer purchases may not be a consumers focus. The political and legal category of the general environment includes factors such as antitrust laws, revenue enhancement laws, and labor laws.Hewlett-Packard can face huge opportunities and threats with changes and trends in legislation. Hewlett-Packard produces a wide range of computer products, and if it is challenged by an antitrust law, it could face a very large threat. However, favorable changes in tax law can represent just as large an opportunity for the firm to save money. The socio-cultural category of the general environment includes factors such as workforce diversity, shifts in work and career preferences, and shifts in product and service preferences.Hewlett-Packards business continuity is very concerned with monitoring and planning for preference trends in the computer technology industry. Proper assessment and integration of a new product preference ca n represent an important opportunity, while missing this preference could end up a threat. The technological category of the general environment includes factors such as product innovations, new communications technologies, and government supported research and development expenditures. Obviously this category caries great significance for a computer based firm like Hewlett-Packard. proceeds innovations can represent an opportunity for strategic continuity if Hewlett-Packard can incorporate them, a threat to strategic continuity if they cannot. New communications technologies can be utilized to assist in streamlining operations, and represent an opportunity to lower long term costs. The final category of the general environment is global. The global category includes factors such as critical global markets, new industrialized countries, and cultural and institutional attributes. Hewlett-Packard is a global firm, and changes or trends in the global markets must be aforethought(ip) f or to ensure strategic continuity.