The Cost Advantage And Differentiation Advantage Commerce Essay

With the aid of company ‘s resources and the full capablenesss a company can make these distinction scheme and cost scheme for accomplishing the competitory advantage. It is of import for the house to make up one's mind on choosing a peculiar scheme that should the house focal point on distinguishing the merchandise or should the house attempt to follow the cost scheme, it wholly depends on the company and the type of company it is. Achieving both the cost and distinction advantage helps the company to accomplish positional advantage which mean that the company is a leader in its ‘ industry.    R? µsourc? µs D-st-nct-v? µ Comp? µt? µnc-? µs Cost dv & A ; deg ; nt & A ; deg ; g? µ or D-ff? µr? µnt- & A ; deg ; t-on dv & A ; deg ; nt & A ; deg ; g? µ V & A ; deg ; lu? µ Cr? µ & A ; deg ; t-on C & A ; deg ; p & A ; deg ; b-l-t-? µs       Forming the market scheme When explicating the existent selling scheme the company really formulates its scheme in many different ways but the astonishing portion is that all of the ways includes dimension. The degree at which the investing should be included or turn a concern Focus on the merchandise or better the service market where the company has to vie Improvement of the merchandise line, positioning the merchandise, or concentrating on the pricing determination or execution of the distribution schemes which are needed to accomplish competitory advantage. Skills needed or the assets to implement the scheme and accomplish competitory advantage. The company where situated, in the long term to be a leader in the market the best manner to accomplish leading is by making the nucleus competences. The betterments in engineerings are doing the domestic trade and the international trade more competitory. Harmonizing to Kotlar, 2004 a company can outdo set up a scheme by understanding globalization and analyze it to explicate schemes. All the factors such as globalization and engineerings are all interconnected. It is because of engineering that there are huge sum of communicating taking topographic point which helps companies to happen other companies where they can make concern. In these ways competition around the universe is increasing and therefore the companies need to explicate schemes which will impact the company in positive and assist the company to be a leader in their industry. Economicss of graduated table Achieving economic sciences of graduated table is really of import for a company because it is related to the cost that is needed to bring forth a peculiar merchandise or services. There are two types of schemes that a company can implement and which can be allowed by lone economic sciences of graduated table. These two schemes are low cost scheme and market pricing scheme. In the low cost scheme the company reduces the merchandise or services doing cost which helps them ear more net income by giving the merchandise to the client at a lower cost for which the company enjoys the economic sciences of graduated table which leads them to accomplish competitory advantage. In the low cost scheme all the company have to make is to maintain the fixed cost of the merchandise or services unchanged and cut down the variable cost which is possible for the administration if they have adequate assets and good direction to command the cost of their services. The other scheme for the company through economic sciences of graduated table would be to maintain the monetary value which is set by the market but cut down the cost of bring forthing the services for which the company will hold cut down the variable cost. After cut downing the variable cost the company the company can bear down the merchandise at the market monetary value but gaining more net income than the other companies. This is why economic sciences of graduated table is needed for a company to accomplish. Value concatenation To make more offers for the consumers a company besides needs to concentrate on the value concatenation which will intern offer clients more expeditiously and assist to company to use the cost more efficaciously. This will ensue for the company to supply services in much more inexpensive manner or at a lower cost which will distinguish the merchandise from that of the rivals. Harmonizing to Rajnandan ( 2007 ) claims that concentrating on the value concatenation does non intend merely seeking it or merely to add value ; it besides means adding values such as betterment of the substructure of the company, engineerings and other critical functions which helps the company to accomplish the competitory advantage. When a company needs to make up one's mind on outsourcing so value concatenation is needed. . ( Porter, 1999 ) Harmonizing to Lancaster, 2002, it is necessary for a company to concentrate on the rival ‘s scheme, how the other companies in the same industry are carry oning or implementing their scheme. This allows the company to roll up information which will take to pass on the competitory variables. All the variables may include how the other company works in footings of viing with their challengers and it will assist the company who is conveying the study will hold the cognition of how the other company is working. After holding the information on the other company, the company can analyze and implement a much more different scheme which will assist them to accomplish competitory advantage via communicating effectivity. Both the upstream and the downstream providers are connected to the value concatenation which consequences in an addition in the value concatenation and it is known as value system. Concentrating on value system is really of import and a company should non merely concentrate on the value concatenation which will do company accomplish more competitory advantage. This is necessary because for the consequence of globalization and the promotion in the engineerings, deregulating led to the addition in competition. In this consequence the administration had to cut cost but first of all the best manner to vie is to concentrate on the value watercourse. ( Kiichiro Fukasaku, 2007 ) Focus on the market For the administrations that are wholly marketing oriented, who can be merchandise or service based or net income or non net income based has to concentrate on the client satisfaction and fulfill their demands and wants. Harmonizing to Lancaster, 2002 the chief key to concentrate and accomplish the administration end expeditiously and efficaciously in the instance of the selling concept the best manner is by wholly being client oriented, being focused on the profitableness and besides co-ordinate selling. To convey this market scheme it is of import for the company to implement a market research through which the company will acquire to cognize the best manner to be competitory and increase net income. Market research is simple an analysis of the entire market of a peculiar industry where there are model-building and facts which will assist the company to do peculiar determination which will intern assist the company to accomplish administration ends efficaciously ( Kotler, 1999 ) . To back up the schemes that are implemented by the companies, the scheme capablenesss are needed. To prolong the competitory advantage the strategic capablenesss are besides needed, some of the links that are needed as a tool and patterns of accomplishing competitory scheme are given below. ( Susman, 1992 ) Figure: The nexus between design tools and patterns and competitory scheme The company needs to larn both its ‘ external and internal environment and this is the manner how the company will hold the ability to entree and capture the information. All this processes can be easy simplified which may be merely done minimising the complexness of information while roll uping and treating them. Through this the company will be able to larn the purchasing behavior of the seller and the client and how the clients behave while buying a peculiar merchandise or services. Both the clients and the sellers get full satisfaction after implementing the study and entree the information, because now the client will be provided with better services and merchandises and at the same the the seller will able to gain more net incomes. ( Lancaster, 2002 ) Awareness KNOWLEDGE Liking Preference Conviction Purchase Figure: The Innovation/Adoption theoretical account ( Lancaster 2002 ) The schemes which are implemented by the companies can be looked at as wide visions which may dwell of consistent constellation of activities are taken by the competitory advantage. The model of competitory advantage may assist the company to supply with some of the tools that may be used to ticket and look at the drivers of the cost and the place of the cost that the company is in. The model besides helps the company to acquire the strategically section the market in an industry. ( Porter, 1998 ) E-Trading These yearss about everyone in the developed and the developing states trusts and have full entree to computing machines for which E-Trading has increased. It is non merely making concern with the clients merely but it besides involves making concern with the other concern. It may be making concern with the providers or making concern with the direct Sellerss or the retail mercantile establishment via cyberspace. This occurred because of the engineering promotion, globalization and the huge usage of cyberspace. The tendency is ever of latest manner when the company have to travel with the tendencies and the latest manner for the company to cover with certain alterations so the company must non keep back. For a company the best option would be to follow up the tendency and convey in alterations for which the companies have to put in all the recent engineerings and develop the company ‘s proficient substructure. This will let the company to cover with the client online and do con cern online and there are many advantages when companies get involved in E trading. It is said that E trading is the fastest and the quickest manner to buy goods from the providers and sell the goods to the clients. These twenty-four hours all the established Bankss have the option for doing dealing through cyberspace hence if a company have Tocopherol trading option so the company can do easy and safe minutess with the Bankss with really small mistakes because the security of online banking is really rigorous but quicker. ( Balthasar, 2010 ) Changing Nature of Consumer Behaviour The clients are the 1s who want to take control of accepting the service that are given by any fiscal establishment. This is because all the clients are smart and the get all the information about which bank or establishment is giving the best offers to the client through the promotion of media and other intelligence documents. Therefore the clients will merely be interested in those Bankss and establishments from which clients will acquire the best services and single demands and satisfaction. ( CMA Management, 2006 ) All the Bankss who want to go celebrated and achieve market leading so the Bankss have to concentrate on the client ‘s wants and demands. By concentrating on the client needs the Bankss should plan and make schemes which will assist the bank to command the clients. For farther hereafter success of the bank, the bank needs to take advanced attacks which will alter the concern design, work force direction and IT. ( Sunny Banerjea, 2009 ) The services clients look for largely is how secure is the security of their money, the demand of protagonism, and stabilization of the control of banking relationships. In this decennary for the promotion in invention and engineerings there are great Numberss of variegations in the concern. In this epoch the Bankss are the 1s who are prosecuting more into the investing, underwriting of securities, prosecuting in insurance concern and portfolio direction. For this the Bankss have to ever remain equipped and when the client looks in to Bankss side concern they start experiencing more safer and salvage tier money into the that bank. Data Management Since this is the epoch of engineering and latest invention the Bankss has to be updated continuously and all the informations should be stored carefully when shifted from one engineering to the other. All the informations should ever be incorporated right through sellers which allows the bank to maintain the right information and the informations related to the client, their histories, client balance, day-to-day dealing of many clients and the bank ‘s personal informations which are related to bank ‘s concern. Harmonizing to Wall Street Arrow Market Insights, 2009 claimed that the more sophisticated the data direction substructure is at that place the more hard it is for the bank to command them. Therefore the Bankss have to do certain that their system which manages that informations are non excessively sophisticated or excessively simple, it has to be a standard one. Economic Convulsion Due to the economic catastrophe the assurance of the bank was lost because the menaces the full bank faced because of the recession was still acquiring deeper instead than demoing any betterment. Some the Bankss were backed by the authoritiess but the others had to go forth the baking concern or sell the concern to some other party who had the power to salvage certain Bankss. The consequence of crisis is easy diminishing but the companies who survived are seeking their best to retrieve every bit fast as possible for which the Bankss are became more competitory and competition between Bankss has increased. There are monolithic competitions in the market and the company has to believe first analyse the market and the rivals so use a suited scheme. In this manner the Bankss that are in debt can acquire out off debt and earn net income. All the schemes that were discussed supra are really of import for the Bankss to follow so that the Bankss can come out of the job that was caused by the economic catastrophe.

Categorical imperative Essay

Abstract Immanuel Kantis one of the most influential philosophers in the history of the Western philosophy. His contribution two metaphysical epistemology, ethic, and aesthetics have had a profound impact on almost every philosophical movements that followed him. Kant believe that, in knowledge originated in our senses and that the mind is a blank slate, that becames populated with ideas by its interaction with the world. Kant Influence on Criminal Justice In New World Encyclopedia (2013) states that Immanuel Kant was born, and spent the majority of his life in the city Konigsberg , the capital of East Prussia. His father was a German craftsman. His parents baptized him as Emanuel Kant, which he later changed to Immanuel after learning Hebrew. He attended the Collegium Fridiciaum at the age of eight. After eight years of study in there, he went to the University of Konideberg where he studied philosophy and mathematics. The death of his father affected him greatly, however, with the support of a friend he earned and received his doctrine in 1756. After befriending the English merchant Joseph Green, who instilled in Kant arespect for living in accordance to strict observed rules of behavior, he began to live a very regulated life. For the remainder of his life Kant remain unmarried and owned only one piece of art in his household, advocating the absence of passion in flavor of logic. He never left Prussia and rarelyventured out oh his hometown. He was a respected and very competitive university professor for most of his life. Historical repute did not come to him until he was in his late 50’s. In 1740, he went to the University to study philosophers Gottfried Leinbniz and Christian Wolff under the tutelage of Martin Knutsen , who was familiar with the development of British philosophy and science. It is there that Knutsen introduced Kant to a new system of mathematics by Sir Isaac Newton (1997). In 1746, Kant wrote the paper on measurements of reflecting Leibniz’s influence. In 1755 he then became a private lecture at the University, and while there he published â€Å"Inquiry into the Distinctness of the Principles of Natural Theology and Morals† in which he examines the problem of having a logical system of philosophy that was connected with the world of natural philosophy, a concern typically of the period. In that same year he published a piece titled â€Å"In Dreams of a spirit-seer Elucidated by Dreams of Metaphysics†. For the next 10 years, he work solely on the architecture of his own philosophy. Then in 1781 he released the † Critique of Pure Reason†, This work was to become the most influential, widely cited, and distributed work in Western philosophy. He then followed with his work † Ground of Metaphysic of Morals†. Then in 1788 who wrote † Critique of Practical Reason† then he finished and perfected his work on † Critique of Judgment† (2005). Almost all of his work was attacked and criticize seriously, practically his ideas on category, or, the place of free will and determinism, and weather we are capable of processing true and corrected knowledge of eternal reality. In his life Kant wrote a number of lesser known essays on history, politics and the application of philosophy of life. When he died in 1804, he was working on an incomplete manuscript that has since been published as† Opus Postmum†. Immanuel Kant had an interesting system of beliefs. It’s based on the beliefs , that reasoning is the final authority for morality. Actions of any sort, he believed, must be done from a sense of duty dictated by reason, and no action the form for expediency for solely in obedience to the law or custom can be regarded as moral. Moral , according to Kant, is apt done for the right reasons. Kant what are you that to make a promise for wrong reason is not moral, in other words, you might as well not make the promise. You must have a duty, or, correct moral inside of you, and for your folly of lying, your actions would only give you away. Kant described in common command given by reason: the hypothetical imperative, which dictates a given course of action to reach a specific end; and the categorical imperative, which dictates a course of action that must be followed because of moral rightness and necessity. It is also stated that Kant believe it to be irrational to perform in action if the action maxim contradicted itself once made into a universal law of nature (2013). In other words, before you act, you must decide what rules would be following if you were to act, whether you would are willing for rules to be followed by everyone. If you are willing to universalize the act, it must be moral; its not, then the act become morallyimpermissible. Kant police not the welfare of each individual should probably be regarded as in and itself, as stated in † Formula of the End† (2013) in itself: act in such a way that you always treating humanely weather in your own person or in the person of another, never simply as a means, but always at the same time as an end. Kant believed that the moral rules are without exception. Therefore, it is wrong to kill all situations even the case of self defense. This thought comes from the Universal Law Theory (2010). Since we never wanted to in order to become a universal law then it must be a moral in all situations. For what Kant’ s describe in his rules of absolut Killing, according to Kant, could never made universal law, therefore it is wrong and each in every situation. There are never any extentuating circumstance, such as self defense. Is out current laws were left to Kant , people would be prosecuted for everything since there is no extentuating circumstances. Kant cateorical imperative is a tri-dynamic statement of philosophical thought: (1) Actso that the maximum of your will always hold, at the same time as principles is stablished universal law. (2) Acts so as to treat everything with the upmost humanity, including your own person as well as everyone else, and always as an end but never as a mean. (3) Act according to maxim as a universal legislative member of a mere potential Kingdom of ends (2010). In other words Kant’ s argument that particular actions require constant thoughts for roll covering it, that the rule is acceptable for universal action should be adopted, its not, then it should be rejected. In order to understand whether or not actions follow Kant’ s category imperative, we must prescribe post normal what we wish to be universal laws. The norms that create to value judgement are based on issues involving justice between a few people or groups or nation. He further states that thought his cognitive development of peaceful interaction of building of Republic, we can create a community as natural result of unimpeded development of human facilities (1997). Kant states that because we must believe in all the things develop to the fullest capacity, then we could the theorize that, in summary, through congnitive processes we can create community, based on moral (ethical) action towards every person, thereby creating universal ethic throughout the community. Refrence Immanuel Kant . (2013). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from World Wide Web. http://www. Britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/311398/Immanuel-Kant Immanuel Kant -Biography. (1997). In The Eurpean Graduate School. Retrieved September 30, 2013 from Immanuel Kant (2013, August 5). New World Encyclopedia,. Retrieved 00:44, September 30, 2013 From http://www. newworldencyclopedia. org/p/index. php? title=Immanuel_Kant&oldid=972023 Immanuel Kant -Biography. (1997). In The Eurpean Graduate School. Retrieved September 30, 2013 from http://www. egs. edu/library/immanuel-kant/biography/. Immanuel Kant (2013, August 5). New World Encyclopedic, . Retrieved 00:44 September 30, 2013 From http://newworldencyclopedia. org/P/index. php? title=Immanuel_Kant&oldid=972023 McCormick, M. (2005). Immanuel Kant: Metaphysics. In Internet Encyclopedic of Philosophy (April 17, 2001 ed. ) Retrieved September 30, 2013 from http://www. iep. utm. edu/Kantmeta/ Rolf, Micheal. † Immanuel Kant. † The Standford Encyclopedic of Philosophy. Ed. Edward N. Zalta. Fall 2010 ed. 2010. Stanford University. Web 30 Sept. 2013. References.

Toyota Company Analysis

Toyota Motor Company has been a strong competitor in the global automobile market since its inception in 1937. Today Toyota has become a globally recognized brand and has won the coveted spot as the worlds top selling auto manufacturer, with 17% total market share. Despite many challenges Toyota has remained relatively financially stable consistent with the S&P 500 and continues to provide low cost high efficiency vehicles appealing to various demographics with the implementation of a high end luxury line (Lexus) as well as a line catering towards the younger market (Scion).Toyota Motor Company  prides itself on the successful implementation of a lean manufacturing system including a one of a kind just in time production system. The success of their inventory management and strong supply chain is apparent through their strong sales to inventory ratio and inventory turnover average between 10 to 15 days. Toyota has also exhibited consistently positive EVA rates which indicates high efficiency and value per capital. Although this practice has cut costs for the company, it has also affected sales in a negative light.In 2010 and 2011 when natural disasters hit the areas of their suppliers, Toyota did not have enough parts to complete necessary purchase orders and keep up with consumer demand. For this reason the sales figures from those years are lower than what they were anticipated to be. Despite  these challenges, investors should maintain confident in the efficiency of their invested capital in Toyota, represented by a continuously rising ROE in comparison to its competitors.Toyotas  dividend yield ratio is very attractive to investors as well with 1. 3% compared to the industry average of 1. 1% despite a significant drop in 2008. When looking at the auto industry, investors should take into consideration that Toyota remains competitive despite not receiving the government bailouts provided to the American manufacturers. Toyota features various threats sp ecifically their slow pace in innovation and structure reform.Another notable area of concern is the diminishing market share of their high end line Lexus. Despite these threats Toyotas earning expansion is at an all time high. A focal point of consideration of many analysts and investors is the volatility of the Yen. When looking at Toyotas 1 year growth of -2. 6% which is heavily understated due to the volatility of the Yen, which has effected consumer behavior as well as purchasing power.With the value of the Yen becoming less powerful, Toyota has the opportunity to leverage this to their advantage through relationships with suppliers and improved export profitability. The future success of Toyota will depend on whether or not they are able to keep up with the fuel economy and safety features of other manufacturers. If they are able to do this effectively while also reducing costs using advantages from the diminishing value of the Yen the outlook for this company looks very posit ive for potential investors.

Aircraft materials and hardware Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Aircraft materials and hardware - Essay Example The choice of the right material for a particular overhaul job stresses understanding of the common physical and chemical properties of different metals. Another aspect of aircraft maintenance and repair is that aircraft hardware is frequently ignored since of the insignificant size of the parts. But, selection of right hardware for the use in aircraft is very vital for the efficient operation and safety of any aircraft. The goal of this essay is to emphasize the importance of material, its various process and hardware selection for the use in aircraft structures (faa.gov, ND). Introduction The earlier aircraft materials must refer timber as the first materials used to create a power-driven aircraft. The Wright brothers involved mainly of Sitka spruce and bamboo fastened and bolted together to make a canvas-covered assembly. Aircraft made by wooden material were very successful in the initial years of flying. Currently, timber is only fit for fairly small aircraft. As the requirement for larger aircraft became unavoidable for the modern society, materials with superior specific strength come to be essential. Currently airplane consists mainly of aluminum alloys with steel, titanium alloys and polymer compounds. The equilibrium of materials does rest on on the kind of airplane as military fighter airplanes have much higher amounts of composites and titanium alloys. In this essay more emphasize is given to aircraft materials and its different processes. Pure aluminum and Aluminum alloys Airplane must be made of material with lesser weight to carry more loads and to reduce fuel consumption. The more travelers an airplane can transport the more income an aircraft corporation can create. At the same time as pure aluminum have less weight, very good corrosion resistance and exceptional thermal and electrical conductivity but it is weak and ductile to be used on aircraft structure in its pure form. The credit goes to Dr. Alfred Wilma, a German metallurgist, who found out that aluminum alloyed with copper and heat treated properly can be made much sturdier. The alloy of aluminum with 4% copper is said to be Duralumin and the heat treatment procedure is termed as precipitation hardening. After this Duralumin have characteristically little specific gravity and great strength (450 MPa). Since it is restricted to a maximum amenity temperature of around 660Â °C supplementary heat treatable aluminum alloys have been developed for aircraft use. These comprise a variety of intricate aluminum-zinc alloys which improve the maximum strength of several aluminum alloys. These alloys have used for contemporary aircraft design in which the skin of the fuselage and wings are stressed aluminum alloy parts that lessen the total heaviness of the aircraft. The disadvantage of the aluminum alloys discussed above have a drawback of not being as corrosion resistant as compared to pure aluminum. Therefore a thin coating of pure aluminum is usually fused to either sides of the alloy and is called Alclad aluminum alloy. Even though titanium is very costly it is used where great strength is required in load bearing applications for example, landing gear and engine escalating supports

Life and Faith of Flannery O'Connor Research Paper

Life and Faith of Flannery O'Connor - Research Paper Example The influence had been developed with her participation in the Roman Catholic Church. 2. As a qualified social scientist, O’Connor used symbolism and imagery that had been developed in her creative aspect. She had been an amateur writer and editor who had started expressing her writing skills within the qualified agencies. 3. Majority of the scenes that she had created in her works had been from the Southern region where she had emanated from with the struggle between spirituality and unholy concepts. Conclusion: O’Connor had been an intelligent and creative writer who had used sharp imagery and symbolism in her works. The use of religious intuition and strange characters also generated the development in the plot within her short stories. Introduction In the development of any writing, the author depicts certain qualities to issue their identity. Flannery O'Connor had advanced the American literature style to include aspects that accorded the identity needed to advance the development of stories and literal skills. She also presented her literal skills in completing variable commentaries and followed the style in the Southern Gothic technique to include gross characters. The artist intuition to include religion and beliefs in their writings also favored the outcome that presented a distinct ploy development. O’Connor presented her faith in the writings that she completed that held the Roman Catholic beliefs. Most plots that had been developed predicted the beliefs of the author towards the societal setting. Apart from the entertainment provision of the literal works, the plot advanced served as sources of inspiration and educational lessons to the readers. O’Connor had been consistent in her writing to suggest the moral behavior in the society and present the adversity of faith in reconstructing the broken norms (Scott 61). Most of the stories that she had written sought to present reformations needed to create stability within the societal setting as she completed progress into a righteous individual. Through Flannery O’Connor’s short stories, the readers are able to gain incentive on her faith and the lifestyle that the she had upheld. O’Connor’s stories had been created to advance religious aspects to present God’s works within the societal setting. She had been an established Roman Catholic follower and had the knowledge that her readers had been from a wider religious setting. She had the knowledge that individuals shared varied faith and sought to present moral behavior in the completed writings (Kirk 125). She achieved the fete through completing plot development in holding shocking, with mostly chaotic and bizarre characters. She presented the regional context in the generation of the characters that were applied in a colorful and organized plot development. O’Connor polished the setting in her stories through rich symbolism and manipulation of the words that i ssued direct comparison with events in society (Orvell 128). She had advanced her efforts of developing her writing career through early education qualification in social science, while completing duties as the editor in her leisure time. Although she had suffered from lupus, she advanced the prospect of completing stories that explained the need to uphold the necessary moral standards in the society. The fictional writings had been completed to offer the needed measures to advance spiritual consideration as she

Organizational Development Intervention Paper Essay

Organizational Development Intervention Paper - Essay Example Group level diagnosis The inputs in group level diagnosis include organizational blueprint aspects that are inherent in the entire organization within which the group functions (Cummings and Worley 61). The following characteristics within the organization were identified as affecting group functioning. Technology The company has been in recent times initiated an upgrading program to increase the efficiency of the communication system. This includes the purchases of computer, networking and elevating internet bandwidth including an upgrade to HP Integrity BL860c i2 OpenVMS and CAD. The project has cost the company $250, 000. Other technological improvements include the purchases of new sewing machines and increasing the length of the processing line. Nevertheless, mid level employees are especially dissatisfied since the communication system changes do not meet their suggested quality. They opine that the internet connection is quite slow and is affecting them. The latest machines in the processing line are difficult to operate since no prior training was availed. This was emphasized by the 73% of factory employees who were dissatisfied by the situation. Structure The company has five major divisions dealing with HR, procurement, designing, manufacturing, and marketing. All the heads of the divisions answer to the president. However, within each division, there are groups with varied tasks. These groups give feedback to any of the four heads of divisions. For example, a group in designing children ware may be required to respond to the head of promotion directly without the involvement of the head of design. Sometimes, such a group is required to present its findings to different heads at different times. The interests of the heads at times conflict, since each, seeks to enhance the performance of their divisions without coordination with the other divisions. Evaluation systems The performance of the group is not formally evaluated; hence there are no form rewa rd systems. A group appreciation or reward is dependent on the disposition of the division head under which they operate. A normal source of reward, for example, for the designing groups is when products perform well in the market. This is mostly indicated by the acclaim of the product in the market. In such a case, the group that designed the product may be recognized by being awarded a bonus in the following month. Nevertheless, such occurrences are rare, especially since the start of the company’s sales decline. Only 38 % indicated that they have been rewarded in their job. Other instances of rewards include the company’s annual meeting where individuals are recognized for various feats. However, lower level employees opine that the recognitions are reserved for higher level employees only, only 16% expecting to be rewarded before retirement. Promotions are random, which leaves some employees feeling they were bypassed with no substantiation. Other personnel complai n that they have been in the same positions for long; this was expressed by 59% of all interviewed employees. The hiring of employees is based on merit. Job openings are posted on the media and appropriate procedures are followed. However, the salaries offered by the company are below industry average salary and are 76% of the industry average. This makes the company fail to attract highly motivated and qualified individuals. Most of the applicants in the job openings are young graduates who soon move away after some time. This has

Assignment 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Assignment 1 - Essay Example 230) states that it is wrong to â€Å"blur such distinctions as under vs. over or in vs. on;† and pictorial representations can be pretty helpful in addressing these issues while constructing a language based schema. Only when the researcher has progressed in it, there is the hope that he/she has mastered strategies that can assist in implementing Sowa-Sloman heuristics. Roughly, the Sowa-Sloman heuristics (Sowa 1984) consist of two major phases. At the first phase, this heuristic paradigm uses type and token distinction system. Subsequently, Aristotle’s idea of inheritable systems under a type (or assign category) is used. In the second phase, analysis is to be done. So first a schema is to be constructed, and then the sets of data in question would be ontologically mapped onto this schema. Sowa (1984) started with conceptual graphs, but then developed characteristics of diagrams in his graphs. It can be debated that whether he enriched or modified standard graph theory in mathematical sense, but without such a manipulation through Sowa-Sloman heuristics artificial intelligence cannot become comprehensive when tackling problems related to aesthetics rather than mathematics. The concept of picture is important for me. However, if I see a picture, or more precisely, a piece of art mounted on a wall, I will not be able to understand it without organising my thoughts. So if I implemented the Sowa-Sloman heuristics, I would first seek to understand that what kind of picture do I see? So I have to create a schema. Suppose this schema has three categories. The concept under category 1 would define oil paintings. Inheriting this characteristic from the super class of this category, I will then seek to know whether the artwork has been created by a professional artist or an amateur artist. If by a professional artist, then to which school of art does it belong? If by an amateur artist, then is the work in

Drug Law and Policies; A Danger to Our Freedom and Privacy Essay

Drug Law and Policies; A Danger to Our Freedom and Privacy - Essay Example The agencies concerned with drug control have acknowledged that there are more problems when some drugs are treated as illegal than when they are legalized (March, Oviedo & Romero, 2006, p27-33) This paper talks about the inappropriate moves that the government have made under the umbrella of protection as from the harm caused by drugs. Actually, the penalty for smoking a 2-inch long bang is more risky to one’s health than the smoke from the drug. The penalty is in the most case related to discrimination, induced stigmatization, exposure to poor health, escalation of drug-related crime and negative environmental impact... Everywhere in the world, the public to admit that war on drugs has the significant negative impact in their lives, in some minor case the moves succeeds in making a wrong right. Undermining of fundamental liberties and human rights are a common phenomenon that a person found d to be using drugs have to experience in the hands of the law enforcement officers. The inhuman punishments, unfair trial standards and demonization of people are just but a few weapons widely used to fight drugs (David, 2006, p17-36). Technically, the war appears not to be against drugs but the humans. To some extent, the officers go to the extreme ends of shooting down criminals without being subjected to fair trials. Often first pages of public magazines start with the crime scene in which a suspected drug lord has been gunned down at a checkpoint, this means that the war on drug permits the use of orthodox measure including a sentence to death without trial at a mere suspicion drugs abuse. The law permits po lice officers to arrest anyone suspected of committing a crime, but when it comes to the case of drug addicts, they are always subjected to harassment that includes beatings and detention for a long period of time pending investigations (William, 2014, p20-24). These detention facilities are not pleasant places, they are more like the prison, the only difference is that in a prison one is allowed to see a lawyer often making the detention facilities worse than prisons.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 371

Assignment Example A civil wrong referred to as a tort. In cases where the damage caused was not intentional, this is what is called unintentional tort. Negligence is the most common type of unintentional tort (Lesson 8). Unintentional tort does not require the victim to show proof of intent from the actor. Sovereign immunity is a judicial doctrine that protects government agencies from liability (Lesson 8). The Texas Tort Claims is there to protect school districts from liability resulting from any case that might arise, except those that result from the school or its staff being negligent (Walsh, Kemerer and Maniotis, 2010). Example: in countries ruled by monarchies, the concept of sovereign immunity applies because the king or the queen are said not to do any wrong. In the case on Barr v. Bernhard the court ruled that the school known as Kerrville ISD was not liable for the damage caused when a barn roof collapsed on a student (Lesson 8). This case is significant because it serves as an example, for students and parents who may decide to sue schools which are usually immune to such liabilities (Lesson 8). Wood v. Strickland serves as an example for other. One, the school officials’ immunity was dependent on if the officials had acted sincerely without malicious intent to deprive students of their rights (Lesson 8). Secondly, if they knew their actions violated the constitutional rights. The case shows the key grounds for students to sue if their due process rights get violated. The coach is still liable because using the defense that there was assumption of risk does not relieve him from negligence (Lesson 8). Foreseeability is an important aspect in liability cases such as the negligence cases (Lesson 8). If a teacher fails to foresee that a student may be harmed and the teacher does act in a prudent manner, they are liable for

Existing Home Automaton Systems Controlled via the internet Essay

Existing Home Automaton Systems Controlled via the internet - Essay Example The internet technology plays an important part in such automation, as these homes are also called ‘smart homes’ or ‘e-homes’. The innovative technology and software available currently for home automation systems ensures the safe and secure life, while providing mobile and email alerts about the happenings at home to the specific user who may be away to far-off locations. The ‘know and control kit’ as shown in the picture above puts the mobile phone in control of almost all gadgets in the home. Accordingly, it monitors the lighting devices, temperature of different systems such A/C or heating arrangements, locks and other safety devices, among others. The email notifications and mobile alerts provide reports regarding the function of each device. Although various manufactures supply such kits, the ‘Smart Things’ kit comprises of two multi-sensors, 2 sensors responsible for detecting the presence of anyone in the home, 2 additional motion sensors, Ethernet cable with power cord and the necessary outlet plug. The kit comes with all required batteries. The Ethernet cable ensures connection of the system kit to internet. As and when the kit detects some kind of motion by people, cars or pets, it sends an alert to the owner. It also sends early warnings on the detection of any leakage, presence of carbon monoxide or smoke in the home. There are no installation hassles or any kindly of monthly contract fees attached to this kit. While the user has complete control over the gadgets working at home, there is no remedy in the event of any accident or hazard that occurs due to malfunction of any device. The system cannot help much in such cases except sending immediate email or mobile alerts. The following image represents a ’Belk in’ Net Cam, which has Wife connectivity along with a camera that can

Modern variations of the Panopticon Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Modern variations of the Panopticon - Essay Example Bentham’s idea is that a panopticon, where the observed internalizes the presence of an unseen observer, enforces those rules via a psychological self-policing on the part of the observed. The panopticon prison, where prisoners are always within view of an observer hidden in a tower that sees all, is a very good representation of Bentham’s ideal panopticon. It is an examination of the ideas on the panopticon as it is applied in some paired relationships, exploring how checks and balances come into play in them, so that the two sides in effect are forced to play according to the rules. In effect, in this dyad relationship, the panopticon becomes a two-way mechanism, with implications that are particular to the parties in the pairing. This paper demonstrates this via a discussion of the Internet as a reciprocal modern panopticon. The internet fosters an arena where the observed follows the rules imposed on them by the law and by the authorities, and where the authorities, in their turn as ordinary users, are likewise compelled to follow the rules, and to make sure that the rules do not go too far in infringing on their personal rights under the law (Foucault 228). This first part of the essay talks about the writer's understanding of Foucault's Panopticon as a disciplinary power mechanism. The heart of the panopticon is the internalization of a power mechanism on the part of the observed, in a system designed in such a way that the observed knows that he is perennially being watched, and where the observer is forever hidden from view from the observed. This can be a paired process with both parties being observer and observed for each other. That is, the panopticon also a situation where two sides play mutual roles at the same time. In this sense it is reciprocal system that enforces the rules of the game via its very mechanism. The means of enforcement is the observed internalizing the rules, and acting in such a way as to enforce the rules, and to make the system self-perpetuating and stable. In a two-way system both have to play the role of the observed, and both internalize the rules (Foucault 228). In other words, the panopticon as a disciplinary power mechanism instills in the both parties the very rules of the game, and makes it in the best interest of both, in a way, to follow the rules without being told. What affects one affects the other in equal measure. The mechanism has within it the power to enforce. The knowledge that one is being watched at all times forces the observed to act in ways that do not violate the rules, or else face the consequences of the violation. It is self-perpetuating and becomes more effective the more it is internalized too. This is because both parties, as the observed, by internalizing the rules and the idea that he is being perpetually watched, go into themselves and look into all areas of their lives: thoughts, behavior - and seek compliance with the rules in all of those dimensions of his life. Both censor each other and are forced to follow the law as the observed, and as the observers enforcing the law (Foucault 226-228). In pairs where observation is reciprocal, the two parties balance each other's

Wartime Stories Essay Example for Free

Wartime Stories Essay While there are few that claim war is one of the greatest institutions of humanity, it is certainly one of the most discussed, more recalled, and most participated in creations civilization has yet conceived. The lessons that can be learned from wars vary greatly in ethical and moral implications, from those that say war must be participated in with ruthless precision, while some feel that war must be fought with decency and honor. Whether to sacrifice one’s own life for a greater good, or to fight merely to preserve one’s life at all costs is a question of utility value versus ethical egoism. Movies such as Saving Private Ryan present interesting ethical dilemmas concerning a soldier’s internal and external ethical duty during war. While the men are charged with possibly giving their own lives for the life of only one other soldier, they are torn between the duty to their country and their orders, and their dissatisfaction over having to devalue their own existence for that of someone they do not even know. They feel a greater duty to each other, as well as the war effort in general, but feel their mission to save Private Ryan falls outside their duty, and effects little their honor. However, the movie persists in continuously asking the question of wartime ethics. The question for the men is whether their life is worth that of Ryan’s, merely one soldier among the millions. The order they have to get Ryan is one of utility value, as dictated by the rules of service. It is a soldier’s duty to follow orders, no matter how much they may disagree. If soldiers began disobeying orders it could spread and eventually break down the entire system. The obligation that Captain Miller feels in the movie is that the successful fulfillment of his orders will not only continue to hold loyal to the chain of command, but will also bring his unit one step closer to going home. However, when finding Ryan, the situation changes as Ryan refuses to come with him, agreeing that his life is worth only the value of those men with which he fights. Still following his orders, Captain Miller does everything in his power to save Ryan, still fight the war, and keep alive the chain of command, never once letting his own desire to go home influence his loyalty to his orders. The soldiers in the movie spend the majority debating the value of saving Private Ryan as opposed to fighting the war and trying to win it. They feel that they are on a mission that unduly puts their lives on the line for little purpose, as they value their lives far more than Ryan’s life. Their individual egoism would seem to oppose the entire concept of being a soldier in the military, as the chain of command is dependent upon groups of individuals functioning as a single unit. Even as a single unit, they are forced to abandon their individualistic ideals, as the unit is in as much danger as each individual. In the end, most of the men die, save for the most vocally opposed soldier, the most inexperienced and cowardly, and Private Ryan. The men fulfilled their orders, but paid with their lives, as they feared they would. The death of the soldiers, including Captain Miller, seems to suggest that in sacrifice lays honor, at least in war. The soldiers all recognized the mission as wrong and dangerous, but their duty as soldiers required them to fulfill it. On the one hand, the mission was fulfilled, but on the other hand they all died. The utility value of their sacrifice saw that not only was Ryan saved, but the important bridge was held, and they did in fact fight a very important part of the war, as well as a less important but far more â€Å"decent† part. The fact that Captain Miller is killed by a German soldier that he previously released rather than killed also seems to suggest that decency in war is often rewarded with death, as he and most of his soldiers exemplify. The senselessness of war and the mass violence of modern warfare would almost suggest that loyalty and duty to anything but oneself is a fool’s errand, but it also suggests that by fighting for the best attributes of humanity, like altruism and sacrifice, the entire human race takes a step closer to a civilization free of things like war.

The Great Gatsby Analysis

The Great Gatsby Analysis As a profound commentary on the American dream and a reflection of the period in which it was written, F. Scott Fitzgeralds American classic, The Great Gatsby, remains an enduring work in the American literature canon. Though the novel is relatively simple in terms of plot, the symbolism and intricacies related to that plot provide meaning and context to the reader (Gross and Gross 5). Articulating these intricacies and the basic mechanisms of the plot, however, are holistically tied to the point of view from which the story is told. The entire story is told through the eyes of the 29 year old Nick Carraway. As a result, the reader is left to determine if Nicks account is romanticized or if it is told with the necessary realism to be considered unbiased and therefore taken at face value. The process of this meaning making requires an analysis of Carraway and the way in which his point of view is expressed throughout the story. The nature of the narrative, however, provides other clue s useful to making such decisions. In this capacity, Carraway also sometimes switches to the third person, which allows for other perspectives to be considered by other characters interacting throughout the novel. Based on Carraways perception alone, Gatsby is presented as a mysterious and tragically romantic figure. This point of view is passed on to the reader; however, the addition of the third person elements also allow for commentary by other characters. This balancing process used by the author, demonstrates Gatsby for what he truly was, a complicated, tragic, romantic figure that was consumed with becoming what he thought constituted success in his respective era. Also having flaws and questionable morality, the point of view literary mechanism employed by Fitzgerald is more of a commentary on the American dream than a value judgement on Gatsby alone. Nick Carraway: A Character Analysis To understand the point of view expressed in the novel, it is first necessary to understan d who Nick Carraway is as the narrator. Carraway is man who is newly relocated to West Egg, which is a fictional place based on Fitzgeralds home of Great Neck, New York (Columbia 230). West Egg is a home to the newly rich and it is geographically located on the North Shore of Long Island (230). Bordering the Long Island Sound and close enough to New York City to be an escape for the rich, the culture of the area is affluent and a microcosm of values associated with socialites. Carraway, however, is enterprising and not yet rich himself. Having a degree from Yale and experience serving in the American military during the Great War, Carraway has the balance of a worldly person and the pedigree of an Ivy League university. Based on this two factors, Carraway is presented as a balanced character whose point of view should be taken seriously. His relocation to West Egg was connected to a desire to learn the bond business in New York City. As Daisy Buchanans cousin (Gatsbys love interest) and a neighbor of Gatsby, he naturally became part of the society movement present in the area at that time. The primary function of Carraway in Fitzgeralds tale is to translate the mysterious mans [Gatsbys] dramatic gestures into a revelation of their hidden significance (Bloom 178). Whether or not this occurs is a matter of reader perception. According to Bloom, Nick is essentially private; personality appears in public performance.[Gatsby and Nicks] individuals essential qualities remain forever hidden (178). Bloom continues, Fitzgerald makes it clear that to know another person in any substantial way lies somewhere between a leap of imaginative faith and the sheerly impossible (178). It is in the this tradition where the mystery in the Gatsby character proliferates. Though some is known about Carraways past, his character is rather benign and only seen through social interactions and his perspective on Gatsby. This leaves much to the imagination of the reader and is part of the meaning making process in Fitzgeralds point of view mechanism. Nick Carraway: Viewing Gatsby From a Romantic Perspective Gatsby can be viewed by the reader and is viewed by varying characters throughout the story as a lot of things. He could be considered a driven man, a tragic figure, an amoral character, a grossly misunderstood man or any combination thereof. As romantic figure, however, Gatsby is nearly entirely the creation of Carraways point of view (Bloom 178). Early in the novel, Carraway described the movements of the title character, Something in his leisurely movements and the secure position of his feet upon the lawn suggested that it was Mr. Gatsby himself, come out to determine what share was his of our local heavens (Fitzgerald 20). Based on this description and word choices alone, the point of view expressed by Carraway is clearly one of admiration and infatuation. Nick, through his point of view, serves as a translator of the dreams and social ambitions of the people who surround him (Giltrow and Stouck 476). As a result, designating Carraway as having a romantic view toward Gatsby is a reflection of all of the characters that live in West Egg. These characters looked at their lives, their ambitions, their potential and the material nature of their entire social microcosm romantically. It is easily reflected in the narrative that the characters overestimated the importance of themselves, their actions and their entire existence. In comparison to world events like World War I, the social ambitions of these residents seem benign; yet, these people are consumed by their designations of success. This is designated by Barrett as The unreality of reality for these people (150). In this capacity, for Carraway to be the translator of the mood and ambitions of those around him, he had to see Gatsby through the eyes of a romantic. Gatsby, in this capacity, was the extreme example of what this social world could spawn. Point of View: Third Person and Character Dialogue The way in which Fitzgerald employs point of view affords the supplemental insights of those characters sur rounding Gatsby and the third person sequences that are strewn sporadically and calculated throughout the novel. In party conversation that occurred between a female party goer, Jordan and Lucille, the following was said of Gatsby, Theres something funny about a fellow thatll do a thing like thatHe doesnt want any trouble with anybody (Fitzgerald 43). This quote is in reference to an event where Gatsby replaced the dress of girl who torn her dress at one of his parties. This act is not being heralded as a grandiose gesture by Gatsby; instead, it is being looked upon with scrutiny. This point of view reveals that Gatsby had ulterior motives for many of his actions. Gatsby was less concerned about the girls dress in this situation and more about his reputation in the social scene in which he was trying to assimilate. Assimilation into this social scene meant acceptance and the potential for winning Daisys affection. Gatsby was not born into money, as a result, he had to find ways to e arn a reputation and to earn the amount of capital that was necessary to live in the type of luxury that was common on the North Shore of Long Island at this time. His reputation was built around maneuvers like the one described by the aforementioned example and the parties that he had. In terms of the parties, they were just a built in mechanism of the desired social circle. Carraway explained, I believe on the first night I went to Gatsbys house I was one of the few guests who had actually been invited. People were not invited they went there (41). Building his wealth provided another designation about Gatsbys by any means necessary approach to social mobility. Gatsby was and had earned his money in the trade of illegal alcohol at the time. Set during the era of prohibition, Gatsby was able to fund his aspirations through criminal means. This would ultimately lead to his undoing as once this was common knowledge it would forever tarnish his reputation. For Daisy, despite feelings she may have had for him, she could only be with Gatsby if he were of the right social standing and reputation, his criminal enterprise reintroduced a reputation wedge forever that was temporally lifted when he returned to her life as a man with means. Despite the mystery and the scrutiny other characters placed on Gatsbys behavior, he was earning a positive reputation before his enterprise was ultimately discovered toward the end of the novel. Henry Gatz explained to Carraway about Gatsby, He knew he had a big future in front of him. And ever since he made a success he was very generous to me (Fitzgerald 172). While these point of views present conflicting imagery of Gatsby, they present a unified critique of the American Dream, as it is this mechanism that ultimately drove Gatsby to pursue the life that would ultimately lead to his undoing at the end of the novel. Point of View and the American Dream Gatsby ending up shot in his swimming pool at the conclusion of the novel firmly classifies the novel as a tragedy. Through the eyes of Nick Carraway, F. Scott Fitzgerald writes his own obituary of the American dream through the eyes and voice of Nick Carraway (Barrett 150). This makes the meaning of the entire novel one that is equivalent to an Anti-fairy tale 150). The pursuit of the empty American Dream is sandwiched between the conditions of the Great War and the Great Depression (Canterbery 297). The social Darwinistic nature of the life that Gatsby wanted to live ended up costing him his life (297). Through the sum of the point of view, the reader is left at the conclusion of the novel with a firm sense that it had all been for nothing. The victory, even if it had been achieved by Gatsby, would have been empty and somewhat convoluted. Had Gatsby achieved the matrimony of Daisy it would have been as much a product of him being a man of reputation and society as much as it would have been out of genuine love for the character. Love and social standing were one in the same in this dream and this sets a critique by the author of entire process. According to Layng, By novels end, Gatsby is the ghost-literally dead, his past with Daisy lost and Nick emerges as the apostle protagonist (93). As an apostle type figure, it is Carraway who is left to warn the people reading the tale about the negative potential of the American dream. The novel is very much American and many of the dynamics and intricacies of the novel are connected with these subtleties that are often lost on foreign readers (Dyson 45). Though steeped in tragedy, there is hope that can be connected with the point of view. Carraway has the potential to either leave the scene or to stay in the scene himself but serve as a warning to others venturing down the same path. Gatsbys death, therefore, has the potential to not have been in vain. According to Hawkes, For many years hope has been a word that has been lost, forgotten, and banished to the margins of romantic longing and wi shful thinking (20). In reality, the point of view used by the author expresses the unfinished American Epic (20). Using the words of Fitzgerald, Hawkes explained, But thats not matter-to-morrow we will run faster, stretch our arms fartherAnd one fine morning- are once again being heard (20). Though Gatsby and the romance associated with his dream may be problematic, that does not mean that are more responsible and less empty dream is not possible. Point of view in The Great Gatsby demonstrates a flawed dream that can be used to contrast a positive one that is only limited by the readers imagination. Point of View Conclusion The link between The Great Gatsby and the American dream is one that will be present for generations to come in any discussion of the American literary tradition. Fitzgeralds perspective on a flawed and empty American dream is articulated primarily through the point of view expressed by protagonists, Nick Carraway. Carraway, though romantically linked to the ent ire social scene of his era, is a reliable narrator that weaves his commentary in with third person dialogue that provides a very round multifaceted perspective of Jay Gatsby. Carraway is not wrong to romanticize Gatsby; however, alone this would not be enough to understand the full scope of the character. Gatsby was driven and he was willing to step outside of traditionally held values of the time when it suited his needs. Making a value judgement on Gatsby, on the other hand, requires making a judgement on the entire concept of the American dream during this particular time period. Fitzgerald skillfully establishes complexity of the entire pursuit of wealth and reputation through compelling point of view narrative.

History KFC Holdings MBhd First

History KFC Holdings MBhd First After a successful restructuring exercise, KFCH has emerged as a strong player in the Malaysian corporate world with a high reputation for excellent products, efficient friendly service and financial strength. Indeed, KFCH is the only KFC restaurant operator in the world whose Western Quick Service Restaurant market share is greater than that of McDonalds. KFCH is part of QSR Brands Bhd (QSR Brands) .QSR brands is a leading and fully-integrated quick-service restaurant enterprise and the local franchisee and operator of the KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants. QSR Brands is a subsidiary of Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad which conglomerated focusing mainly on palm oil operations, oleochemicals, biodiesel production and quick service restaurants. Besides that, Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad is under Johor Corporation as well. The first KFC restaurant in Malaysia was opened on Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1973. The Company was operating 475 restaurants across Malaysia, 77 stores in Singapore, 9 restaurants in Brunei and 72 restaurants in India as of December 31, 2009,. The Company had a total of 43 RasaMas restaurants in Malaysia and Brunei and 35 Kedai Ayamas stores across Malaysia in 2009. On December 15, 2009, the Company had acquired the entire issued and paid-up capital of Rasamas Terminal Larkin Sdn Bhd and Rasamas Melaka Sdn Bhd. When KFC Holdings (M) Bhd is going successful in fast food industry, it now is more concern toward to charity and community program. In year 1995, KFCH initially launched a Projek Penyayang but now already become a part of Tabung Penyayang. There are more than 66 charitable homes and institutions get the benefit from their fund around Malaysia. In that year, the company also implemented a special programme that each home will be given a meal treat of the finger licking good fried chicken every quarter of the year. The Tabung Penyayang which launched in year 1997 helped a lot of orphans, disabled, homeless and needy children around Malaysia. They get fund from the companys revenue from the collection of 10 cents from the sale every of Chicky Meals Tabung Penyayang KFC Collection Box as an extension to the Tabung Penyayang KFC programme in August 1999. Collection boxes are placed at all KFC restaurants so that customers can contribute and be part of this charitable effort. Tabung Penya yang has helped strengthen even more our relationship with the Malaysian public in the charity program. Financial Performance of KFC Holdings (M) Bhd According to the RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd on 23 June 2010 of Corporate Highlight about the share split, bonus and warrant issue information, the major shareholder is QSR Venture with holding 50.30% share. The second major shareholder is Lembaga Tabung Hasil with 24.80% while Airsaig Asean Fund also holds 6.9% of share. The share price of KFC (3492) in KLSE is RM10.50 and the volume is 294,000 in last update on 13 August 2010 at time17:10:13. KFC Holdings gained RM167 million and make the profit of RM320, 000 until 30th September 2009. There have a rise of 6% in fast food restaurants profit if compare to previous years profit. The KFC Company reported revenues of RM2, 179.79 million during the fiscal year ended December 2008, and an increase of 25.97% over 2007. The operating profit of the company was RM 175.02 million during the fiscal year 2008, an increase of 8.08% over 2007. The net profit of the company was RM 118.54 million during the fiscal year 2008, an increase of 13.68% over year 2007. The total asset either current asset or non- current asset are increasing from year 2008 to 2009. For the equity part, the retain earning of company increasing RM40, 513 to year 2009. The company still keeps it as reserve for emergency use. The short term loan had been decrease RM20, 000 from year 2008 to 2009. It is a good sign to reduce of borrow loan. But the total equity and liabilities increase from RM603, 539 in year 2008 to RM626, 232 in year 2009. There is an increase of RM22, 873 within one year. KFC Holdings (Malaysia) Bhd. has announced that the company will give a final dividend of RM 0.16 less 25% Malaysian income tax per share for the year ended 31 December 2009. The dividend paid on 27 May 2010.   In next year , the KFC Holdings Malaysia Bhd plans to invest RM 45 million to expand at least 20 new outlets in 2011 .Of the 20 outlets nationwide, 12 outlets will be under the drive-thru concept. In this year, KFC also will launch a new menu- Hot Spicy menu in Kuala Lumpur in coming 3 August. The company was expecting has about increase 10 % sales On the new Hot Spicy Shrimp menu, the company was expecting to drive its during the promotion period from 3 August to 30 September 2010. Besides that, KFC Holding wishes to expand the sausage capacity as it Port Klang plant to double digits sales growth at the end of year 2010 from the currently 500 tonnes to 1000 tonnes. Task 1 KFC Holdings (M) BHD has expanded their business aggressively in these few years. There are lots of new branches being set up in Malaysia. Therefore, the management team also exposed to several new challenges in managing or maintaining their profit level. After viewing the information about the company, we found out that the company has well utilized its labor force, machinery, and managerial skill in expanding their business. There is no doubt that they have implemented their plan very well in managing the company because it is easily for us to see that their outlets have been built up in a very fast rate. However, we also found out that there is an unfavorable issue that has occurred in the company which is, the profit of the company is declining slightly in the last few years. This reduction in the net profit is a big deal that the company should pay more attention in solving it in order to place the company in a well situation. But, what is the main reason that caused a company w ith a very nice performance and a well management team to encounter with such problem? Since the management team of KFC Holdings (M) BHD is well managing, they should have an increasing net profit instead of a decreasing net profit throughout the years. However, after a deep consideration on this unfavorable matter, we have concluded that the company should reduce its cost in order to shift away from this situation and thus, increase their profitability. So, we should primarily focus on the cost issue to help the company to overcome this problem. So, we suggest the company to invest in a new asset which can eventually help the company to save their cost. Since the cash flow of the KFC is tighten up by its cash flow, a high-tech machine likes ice cream maker, which require a large amount of fund for the initial investment is definitely not suitable for the company. We should create a product that can help the company to save up their cost and which will not become a burden for the company. After a discussion, we suggest that the new asset that the company should invest in is a new design of sauces container which can be a replacement for the bottle of sauces that the company is currently used. As we know, the KFC Holdings (M) BHD normally served the customers with two kinds of chili sauces and tomato sauce. So, what is the problem with their sauces? Normally, they will serve the customer with their sauces, either chili sauce or tomato sauce in the original bottle of their supplier. Apart from the problem of cost, as the compan y serves the sauces in the form of bottle, it will actually bring a lot of inconveniences to the company. It is because each bottle of sauces requires the firm to leave out a space to keep the sauces in a safety place which will cause the firm to spend a portion of fund to acquire a store. The money that the company used in maintains the condition of store will increase the cost of the company indirectly. So, back to the main reason of our problem, the bottle that the supplier used in filling up the sauces actually will cost the company more due to its high cost in producing it. As we know, the purpose that the supplier use a glass bottle to fill in the sauces is to longer the expired date of their product. However, it will also increase the cost of firm to acquire such product because the material, which is the glass bottle that being used by the firm to produce it is very high. So, we suggest the company to invest in a new design of sauce container which can eliminate the use of the glass bottle in their retail shops. They can actually save a lot of money from using the well-designed container. The design of the container of the sauces allowed the firm to fill up the sauce in it without using any bottles, which can eventually reduce the cost of the firm. We will design the container in a very creative shape and it will require the customers to squeeze on the plastic form container in order to get the sauces. It will not only save the cost but also increase the customers favorable over this new product. Furthermore, the cost to invest in this new asset will not be very high because it is being created in the high quality plastic form. However, we will require a steel stand to support three of the sauces plastic containers. Although the container is in the plastic form, but each of the containers can fill in about ____ml of sauces which require a stable stand to support its heavy weights. Not forget to mention again, the company will serve the customers with three kinds of sauces which mean there will have three containers being supported by the steel stand. Well, we also know that the cost of obtaining a stand that is made up by steel is not that cheap. However, it will also help the company to save a lot of cost in a long term view. Besides that as the container can be refill for many times, the company can require the supplier to provide the sauces in a plastic form which can eventually eliminate the higher cost of obtaining it in a glass bottle form. Moreover, by obtaining the sauces in plastic form from the supplier, the staff can refill it into the new designed sauce containers easily. Frankly, the cost of obtaining the sauces which is packaging in plastic is definitely lower than the cost to obtain the sauce which is packaging in a bottle. Well, we know that the supplier of the sauce, LIFE brand sauce is a _____ with the company which has already provided the sauce to KFC in a lower price. However, the reduction in the cost of packaging the sauce will then reduce the cost for KFC to obtain the sauce. The KFC Holdings (M) BHD can still get the sauces from its supplier in a rate that is far lower than before. Besides that, with the creativity in the design of the container, the company can actually attract more customers into it indirectly. We have confidence that the creative design of the container will attract the attention of customer, especially kids. This is one of the ways to increase the sales and to ensure that the customers will consume in KFC again. Furthermore, we can see that the stolen case can be happened easily if the company served the sauce in a bo ttle because the customers can get it easily without noticing by the workers. Customers who have the incentive in stealing it will find that it is not hard to be done if the sauces are being served in a glass bottle because they can just put it in their hand bag after dining in the retail shop. So, the stolen cases can be prevented if the company served the sauces in the well design container because the customers do not have a container to fill in the sauces. Thereby, increase the profitability of the company. Replacement Asset Installed cost per outlet Cost of new asset (380+10950) 11,330 Installation cost 100 Total installed cost 11,430 After tax from sale of old asset 27,375 Change in net working capital Current asset 39,570.53 Current liabilities 3,867.37 Total changes 35,703.16 Initial investment 19,758.16 Installed cost per 475 outlets Cost of new asset (11,330 x 475) 5,381,750 Installation cost 47,500 Total installed cost (11,430 x 475) 5,429,250 After tax from sale of old asset (27,375 x 475) 13,003,125 Change in net working capital Current asset 18,796,000 Current liabilities 1,837,000 Total changes 16,959,000 Initial investment 9,385,125 Analysis of Replacement Asset The price for a bottle of sauces either chili sauce or tomato sauce will be RM2.50. We assume that a KFC outlet will used up ten bottles per day which cost RM75 (3 x RM2.50 x 10). Therefore, it will cost RM27375 per annually for the company to acquire the sauces from the supplier. For 475 outlets in Malaysia, it cost up RM13003125. However, by replacing the bottle with sauces container it will only cost the firm with the total amount of RM11430 per year which means RM5429250 for 475 outlets. From the RM11430, it consists of RM380 of three containers for sauces, RM10950 for the sauces which is packaging in a more cost efficiency way, and the RM100 of the installation cost for the containers. Assuming a package of sauce will cost the firm RM3 and the firm will consume ten packages per day for a year. Based on the annual report of KFC Holdings (M) BHD, the changes in net working capital is RM16959. With the entire figure above, we can generate the initial investment of RM 19758.16 per o utlet and RM 9,385,125 for 475 outlets. Operating Cash Flow (Present) 2010 2011 2012 Revenue 77635000 85710000 88801300 Expenses 3327300+13003125 16757925 16900425 (16330425) 61304575 68952075 71900875 (Proposed) 2010 2011 2012 Revenue 77635000 85710000 88801300 Expenses 8756550 9184050 9326550 68878450 76525950 79474750 With present asset 2010 2011 2012 Revenue 77635000 85710000 88801300 Expenses 16330425 16757925 16900425 EBIT 61304575 68952075 71900875 Taxes (40%) 24521830 27580830 28760350 NOPAT 36782745 41371245 43140525 Operating cash inflow 36782745 41371245 43140525 With proposed asset 2010 2011 2012 Revenue 77635000 85710000 88801300 Expenses 8756550 9184050 9326550 EBIT 68878450 76525950 79474750 Taxes (40%) 27551380 30610380 31789900 NOPAT 41327070 45915570 47684850 Operating cash inflow 41327070 45915570 47684850 Initial investment RM 9,385,125 Cost of capital 11 % Cash flow Year 1 RM7573875 Year 2 RM7621375 Year 3 RM7621375 NPV RM 9196548.45 IRR 61.87 % Cost of debt 50% from retained earning ( RM4700000) 50% lending from bank (RM 9,385,125 4700000) RM 4685125 Cost of retained earnings 30%, weighted 0.50 Cost of debt, 61.81% (similar with IRR), weighted 0.50 WACC = (cost of retained earnings x weighted) + (cost of debt x weighted) = ( 30% x 0.50) = (61.81% x 0.50) = 15% + 30.91% = 45.91% IRR > WACC, accept the asset 61. 81% > 45.91% Financial leverage Total dividend to shareholders : RM32715000 Total dividend to common stockholders : RM23793000 Total dividend to preferred stockholders : RM8922000 Number of shareholder: 178,275,000 Income statement Of Leverage (RM000) sales revenue 77,365 Less: cost of good sold Gross Profit 77,365 Plus: Other income 35,598 Less: operating expenses 33,273 Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 79,690 Less:Interest Net profit before taxes 79,690 Less: Financial cost 1,805 Profit before tax 77,885 Less:Taxes 4,669 Net profit after taxes 73,216 Less: Preferred stock dividends 8,922 Earnings available for common stockholders 64,294 Earnings per share (EPS) 32. 43 Income statement Of Leverage (RM000) sales revenue 77,365 Less: cost of good sold Gross Profit 77,365 Plus: Other income 35,598 Less: operating expenses 33,273 Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) 79,690 Less:Interest Net profit before taxes 79,690 Less: Financial cost 6,490.125 Profit before tax 73,199.875 Less:Taxes 4,388.333 Net profit after taxes 68,811.542 Less: Preferred stock dividends 8,922.000 Earnings available for common stockholders 59,889.542 Earnings per share (EPS) 33. 59 Task 2 Merging Benefit of merging Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad is the company that we choose to merge together with KFC Holdings (M) Berhad. The reasons that we want to merge this two companies together are because this merger will provide a lot of benefits to both of the companies. However, we will discuss about the type of mergers that we used in merging this two companies together first. As what we know, there are four types of mergers which are horizontal merger, vertical merger, congeneric merger and conglomerate merger. After a deep consideration about the condition of these two companies, we have suggested both of the companies to merge through vertical merger. So, what does a vertical merger means? It is a merger in which a firm acquires a supplier or a customer. It is normally happened between two companies that producing different goods and services for one specified finished product. Since the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad is a company that mainly produces natural and nutritious products tha t people are pursuing nowadays. So, we hope that the merger between these two companies can bring out a new product that is primarily focus on the health of the people. So, we will discuss the product that these two companies will produce in more details after the successful of the merger between them. Firstly, KFC Holdings (M) Berhad which is a fast food restaurant will acquire the natural and nutritious products such as milks or yogurts from Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad . After that, it will introduce a new combo set which comes together with the healthy products that is provided by Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad. This idea comes out from our minds because we know that people are showing their great concerns on the problem of healthy nowadays. Normally people will think that having fast food will affect our healthy and adults will inhibit their children from eating fast food as a result. This effect will definitely affect the sales of KFC Holdings (M) Berhad indirectly. So, we must discuss a method to solve this problem upside down. After configuring the factor that caused this problem to arise, which is the peoples mind set of fast food will bring negative effect to our health, we have also come out with a well solution. The solution is that we will acquire the healthy products from Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad and combine with the products of KFC Holdings (M) Berhad which can reflect a good image that the combo set is something good to our health. Furthermore, we have think of two kind of new combo sets after the merger which one is mainly focus on adults and another set is focus on kids. Firstly, we will acquire the package milks from the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad and combine it with the kid meals. Apart from that, we will acquire the milks not only in one flavor but in three different flavors which are original, strawberry and chocolate. It is because we know that the kids nowadays might have different demands on the drink choices. Some of them might show preferences over strawberry flavor and some others might show their preferences on chocolate. So, it is good to have more choices for them to choose in order to prevent any unwanted consequences. As what we know, milks are the best nutrition that everyone needs to maintain their health. So, the parents might not be so aggressive in inhibiting their children from eating the fast foods if we combine it with milks. Then, the sales in KFC Holdings (M) Berhad will boo st up greatly as a result too. Besides that, we will also combine the three flavors of milks with the normal sets in KFC Holdings (M) Berhad. However, we will also provide the yoghurts as a dessert in the combo set. There are so many flavors of yoghurts that are provided by Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad such as aloe Vera, blackberry, strawberry or mix fruits. Yogurts has provided a lot of benefits to people such as preventing yeast infection, strengthening immune system, enhancing digest system and relieving ulcers. Furthermore, people are showing their great concerns on their weight nowadays, especially girl. So, having a yogurt right after their meals can enhance their digestion system which can help them to maintain their weight and health indirectly. So, we have confident that this combination of normal set with yogurt will bring out a good response from the customers. Well, we will discuss in details about the benefits that come along with the vertical merger between this two companies. The benefits from the merger are: Increased managerial skill or technology Increased the competitiveness in the market Growth or diversification Synergy 1. Increased managerial skill or technology A proper merger can enhance the performance of the company when a target company can provide the managerial personnel or technical expertise needed by the acquire company in expanding their business. Sometimes, a firm might fail to participate in a great opportunity in expanding their business due to the deficiencies in certain areas of management or an absence of needed product or production technology. As in our suggestion, the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad will provide some healthy products such as milks and yogurts to the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad which will then produce a nice healthy image to the public. Besides that, the merger of two companies can improves their ability in research and development as both of them can spend a huge amount of money in such process. This will eventually improve the quality of products for the customers and increase the profit for both companies. Both of the companies can actually cooperate in carrying out a research in how to enhance the qua lity of foods that are expected by the customers. After the merger, they can carry out the research together at a cost far more lowly than other individual company. This is the benefit for a merged company as they can keep improving their products and gain sales from it. Furthermore, by acquiring the managerial skills from both of the companies, they can actually share their opinions or suggestion on how to improve the quality of products and boost up the sales indirectly. Normally, different people will have a different view on something, thus, both of the companies can gain different suggestions and think of a best way to deal with the problem. Thereby, the problem that faces by the company can be solved faster and easier. There is no doubt that a merged company will have a better managerial personnel or technical expertise in managing the company. 2. Increased the competitiveness in the market We can easily see that a merged company can increase their competitiveness in the market when compare to their competitor. It is because that the merged company can gain the asset, skill, technology of the target market which will increase their potential in gaining benefit over their competitor. Besides that, their market value will also increase significantly as a result. As in our example, the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad can gain benefit from the healthy image which is being created by the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad. People will change their mind concept towards the fast food due to the healthy image of those natural and nutritious products provided by the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad. Furthermore, Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad can also gain the benefit of the increasing in their sales. Apart from that, they can provide customers with a wide range of services by merging. Nowadays, people are looking for a company that can provide them better services just like what the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad do, such as provide them a product which exceeds what they expected the company can provide. Therefore, the merge company can gain advantages over other company which will help them to hold existing customers and attract new customers into their company. 3. Growth and diversification A proper merge between two companies can help both of them to fulfill a desire rapid growth in size or market share or diversification in the range of their products. Normally, a company will need to pay its supplier the cost to acquire the materials such as the cost of materials or any other extra charges that being charged by the supplier in processing the transaction. Sometimes, the cost for acquiring the materials can be a big burden for the company as it will reduce the revenue of the company. In our example, after the merged, the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad is free to get the products at the base cost and does not have to pay any extra charges to the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad who is currently looking to make a profit from the sale. This allows the company to have less money tied up in production of a good and will increase their revenue. Besides that, the money that being saved up from the cost of material can actually use by the company in expanding their business or ac quiring another asset that is useful to the operation of the company. The company should use the money that is saved from the materials wisely in order to achieve the target of the company which is fulfilling a desire growth. Moreover, the merged company can actually fulfill the target if they invest the money in a profitable investment or use it to extend or expand its product line. By doing so, they can actually experience a rapid growth in their sales and increase the total revenue and net income. Besides that, the growth of the business after merging might remove or scare a potential competitor off. Therefore, the merged company can sustain in that industry with its powerful strength in the future. 4. Synergy The synergy can be considered as the economies of scale that results from the merged companys lower overhead. The economies of scale achieved from lowering the combined overhead increase the earning of the merged company to a level greater than the sum of the earning of each of the independent company. So, what does economies of scale means? An economy of scale is a common thing that applies to most of the company in the market. All of the companies will try their best to strive for economies of scale which is, the average cost incurred in manufacturing a product can be reduced if the company requires a large investment and output. So, when two companies are being merged together, the total output increases can benefit them through economies of scale. When raw materials are purchased in large amount or quantities, the merged company can actually get a huge discount on their purchase. As in our example, after the merger, the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad will acquire the products such as mi lks and yoghurt from the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad and comes out with a new combo set. The product demanded from KFC Holdings (M) Berhad can actually increase the sales of the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad. Therefore, they need to produce the milks and yoghurt in an even large quantity than before in order to produce sufficient quantities that are required by the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad. So, have to get more raw materials in processing the products and they will experience the benefit gained from the economies of scale in the end. Lastly, actually both of the merged company can gain benefit from such merger because the KFC Holdings (M) Berhad can acquire the products at a cost that is far lower than original and the Dutch Lady  Milk Industries Berhad can experience a significant increase in their sales. It has shown that a proper merger will benefits both company and increase their profitability.

The Human Perception of Pain in Conjunction with the Mind-Body Problem

The Human Perception of Pain in Conjunction with the Mind-Body Problem There is more research surfacing supporting the notion that people can control their pain. What is left under-examined is the notion of whether the pain is mediated by the brain, mind, or both. We all know that pain is an instinctive "sense" if you will, necessary to the survival of all living beings. Without pain, it would go unrecognized and exacerbate to the point of death. Pain is a protective mechanism essential to survival. There are three important claims here: One is that pain is actually a perception. The second, is the brain mediates the suppression of pain through a "gate" in the spinal cord. Lastly, since pain is a perception, the mind may decide the degree to which the "gate" is open, which therefore influences to amount of pain reaching the brain. Recent research provides evidence that certain brain structures mediate the spinal cord gate. Still controversial is whether receptivity to pain is biological in origin and completely dependent on the brain, or whether the min d, the entity in an individual responsible for thought, and feelings, conscious or unconscious, controls the nervous system and in the end manipulates one's perception of pain. Pain is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage" (1). When pain is described in these terms we can see that pain is a perception, sort of like seeing and hearing. When pain is processed there are a number of brain structures activated, commonly referred to as the "central pain matrix" (2). It may seem irrelevant to delve into pain signal activation in the brain since it is seemi... ...that one's entire perception of pain may be conscious in origin and simply correlate to the mechanisms of the brain, rather than stem from just the brain entirely. References 1)Pain Anatomy http://www.ahs.uwaterloo.ca/~ranney/painanat.html 2)The Human Perception of Pain http://dubinserver.colorado.edu/prj/nva/humanperception.html 3)Brain Pain Pathways http://psych.athabascau.ca/html/Psych289/Biotutorials/19/intro.shtml?sso=true 4)Modification of pain within the spinal cord http://www.manbit.com/obstetspain/obnlp3.htm 5)The Skeptics Dictionary http://skepdic.com/mind.html 6)Mind and Body Interactions http://www.mindbody.org/ 7)Mind-Body-Medicine http://www.mind-body-medicine.com/ 8)Mind and Body Wellness http://membrane.com/ncata/lynn/ 9) Carlson, Neil R., Physiology of Behavior. Needham Heights: A Pearson Education Company, 2001.

Egyptian Mythology: Enviromental Influences :: Ancient Egypt Egyptian History

Egyptian Mythology: Enviromental Influences Religion can be thought of as the recognition by human beings of a superhuman power that controls the universe and everything that is, was, or shall be in it. Each individual human being can consider that the superhuman control power is a deity worthy of being loved; or capable of inspiring awe, obedience, and even fear. The effect of these feelings on individuals can lead to the setting up of a system of worship of the deity; and to the drawing up of a code of beliefs and conduct inspired by their religious faith. As all religions follow this, the Egyptians seem to be unique in their beliefs. The Egyptians did not have a true religion; they had more of a collection of myths and doctrines, which evolved to suit the worshipper's needs. Although many changes were evident in their religion, conflict between new and old concepts did not occur. However, their belief system was much more complex and elaborate than that of any other culture. A clear reason is not given, but we theorize that environmental conditions play a significant role in their authenticity. It is a truism that the activities of people everywhere are influenced by the conditions under which they live, and religious thought is no exception to this. Before the days of mass communication, an Eskimo, living in cold climate, had no experience of any great heat generated by the sun. His idea of hell, therefore, would be a place of extreme cold. On the other hand, a man living in a hot climate can only visualize hell as an even hotter place than any with which he has ever had acquaintance with. The Nile River plays an important part in Egyptian mythology. As the Nile flows northward through Egypt, it creates a narrow ribbon of fertile land in the midst of a great desert. The sharp contrast between the fertility along the Nile and the wasteland of the desert became a basic theme in Egyptian mythology. The Egyptians lived in a river valley, 1200 km long from the Egypt south border at Aswan to the northern boundary on the Mediterranean, bordered in by ancient river terraces. The only fertile land was that watered by the Nile, which flowed through the valley: the rest was desert. Thus, the land in which the Egyptians lived was considered to be "the gift of the river". Every

Medicaid Fraud

Medicaid Fraud HCS/545 July 9, 2012 Medicaid fraud comes in many forms. A provider who bills Medicaid for services that he or she does not provide is committing fraud. Overstating the level of care provided to patients and altering patient records to conceal the deception is fraud. Recipients also commit fraud by failing to report or misrepresenting income, household members, residence, or private health insurance. Facilities have also been known to commit Medicaid fraud through false billing.The Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse statute provides that an individual who knowingly and willfully offers, pays, solicits, or receives any remuneration in exchange for referring an individual for the furnishing of any item or service (or for the purchasing, leasing, ordering, or recommending of any good, facility, item, or service) paid for in whole or in part by Medicare or a state health care program (i. e. , Medicaid) shall be guilty of a felony; this is known as the â€Å"anti-kickba ck† statute (Mackelvie, 2004).Medicaid fraud affects taxpayers, recipients, and health care organizations. Measures to reduce Medicaid fraud are necessary. Individuals, facilities, and providers commit Medicaid fraud in several ways. One of the most common ways providers commit fraud is billing for services never provided. For instance, a physician may bill Medicaid for x-rays or lab work that the patient never received. Another way is double billing. Double billing occurs when both Medicaid and a private health insurance are billed for the same services.Medicaid is secondary health insurance to private health insurance and should be billed only for the charges that the primary health insurance does not pay. A third way providers commit Medicaid fraud is billing for phantom visits; charging Medicaid for seeing a patient who has not been seen. Providers have committed Medicaid fraud by billing for unnecessary tests and billing for more expensive procedures when a limited or les s comprehensive procedure was performed. Facilities such as pharmacies commit fraud by substituting brand name drugs for generic drugs and billing Medicaid for the brand name drug.Still other facilities receive kickbacks and file false cost reports. Kickbacks involve receiving payments or services for referral of patients to other facilities or providers where the patient will receive unnecessary services to generate additional income. False cost reports are seen in nursing home cases of fraud and involve owners filing charges for their own personal expenses. Individuals enrolled in Medicaid programs commit fraud by hiding resources, assets, and income.They also commit fraud by denying spouses live in their households or failing to report marriage to continue receiving Medicaid benefits. Individuals with private health insurance who fail to report this insurance and continue using Medicaid benefits are committing fraud. It is an abuse of the Medicaid program when individuals who cou ld obtain coverage on their own instead enroll in Medicaid to cover their medical expenses. Also the federal government stipulates that an individual cannot receive Medicaid in more than one state at the same time.Often, individuals move to another state and fail to report or close their Medicaid benefits with the state in which they were residing. Some individuals want to maintain coverage in more than one state because benefits differ from state to state and some individuals will travel between neighboring states using their Medicaid benefits. This constitutes Medicaid fraud. A program to fight Medicaid fraud has cost the United States at least $102 million in auditing fees since 2008 while identifying less than $20 million in overpayments, investigators found (Wayne, 2012).According to the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units (2012), Medicaid provider fraud costs American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars annually and hinders the very integrity of the Medi caid program. Medicaid fraud affects recipients, providers, health care facilities, and taxpayers. Fraud increases the costs of providing benefits to Medicaid recipients. To compensate for such fraud, states must either raise taxes or decrease services in other areas. Those who most need Medicaid services may not be able to obtain benefits because resources are not available.For patients, Medicaid fraud could mean tampering with their medical records, which could put their health at risk. People can get hurt when doctors or other providers give less or more care than needed just to make more money. Also the public is more skeptical about social service programs as more incidents of Medicaid fraud occur every day. Providers and facilities who commit Medicaid fraud can face penalties from state and federal governments. Federal or state authorities may investigate allegations of fraud depending on where the fraud was reported, the laws broken, and the amount of money involved.The stric tness of penalties levied by state governments varies from state to state. Federal laws such as The False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, and Social Security Act are laws that address fraud and abuse. Title XI of the Social Security Act contains Medicaid program-related anti-fraud provisions, which impose civil penalties, criminal penalties, and exclusions from federal health care programs on persons who engage in certain types of misconduct (Staman, 2010).Under federal regulations, providers convicted of fraud are excluded for a minimum of five years from receiving funds from any federally funded health care program, either as a health care provider or employee (National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, 2012). The False Claims Act imposes penalties on anyone who knowingly submits false claims for payment through a governmental program. Penalty for conviction under this Act is a fine not exceeding $10,000 or an imprisonment of up to five years, or a combination of the two (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 2011).The Anti-Kickback Statute makes it a criminal offense to knowingly and willfully offer, pay, solicit, or receive any remuneration to induce or reward referrals of items or services reimbursable by a Federal health care program (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 2011). Violations of this law are punishable by up to five years in prison, criminal fines up to $25,000, administrative civil money penalties up to $50,000, and exclusion from participation in federal health care programs (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, 2011). There are other federal laws to address fraud and abuse of government programs such as Medicaid.These penalties are a reactive measure to control abuse of Medicaid, but proactive measurements are needed to discourage providers, individuals, and facilities from committing fraud. On October 27, 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed the legislation that provided each state with the opportunity and resources to establish a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) to investigate and prosecute provider fraud (National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units, 2012). The MFCU investigates Medicaid provider fraud and misuse of Medicaid recipients’ funds.The jurisdiction of the Medicaid Fraud Control Units is limited to investigating and prosecuting Medicaid provider fraud, MFCU’s do not investigate recipient fraud. States must also take initiatives to curtail fraud. Many states are looking to use new technology as a means to prevent fraud. One such technology is biometrics. Biometric technology compares a user’s feature such as a fingerprint. This technology has the potential to prevent recipient fraud by eliminating card sharing as well as preventing provider fraud by reducing phantom billing and other forms of fraud.New York, for example, has integrated targeted data mining and risk analysis into its fraud-fighting tool box. In Texas, a few simple process changes and new pattern analys is and recognition efforts moved the state closer to ‘real–time analysis’ and significantly increased the amount of fraud identified (National Conference of State Legislators, 2012). States must develop continually ways to prevent Medicaid fraud and protect the resources provided for recipients. Controlling Medicaid fraud will be a continual task.The burden falls not on just the federal government, but also state governments, facilities, providers, recipients, and citizens. States should fully commit to working with federal policymakers and agencies to improve the integrity of the Medicaid program. Clarity is needed to define federal and state government roles in maintaining integrity of the Medicaid program. Collaboration and communication between Medicaid and Medicare is needed to reduce fraud. States should evaluate the utility of existing tools used to fight Medicaid fraud. Incentives for providers, recipients, and citizens to report suspected fraud must be m ade available.Abuse of Medicaid affects everyone and costs will continue to rise if measures are not taken to use better the resources available in the Medicaid program. References National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units. (2012). What is Medicaid Fraud?. Retrieved from http://www. namfcu. net/about-us/what-is-medicaid-fraud Mackelvie, C. F. (2004). â€Å"The impact of fraud and abuse regulations – Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse statutes. Retrieved from http://findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_m3257/is_n10_v46/ai_13413481/pg_6/? tag=content;col1 Wayne, A. (2012). Medicaid Fraud Audits Cost Five Times Amount U. S. Found. Retrieved from