Starhub analysis Essay Example for Free

Starhub analysis Essay Generic Characteristics of Telco Industry Market structure is either a: Monopoly Natural monopoly Oligopoly Dominated by a handful of big players High capital expenditure (capex) Absolute fixed cost is high But fixed cost per user is very low Telco may be very cash flow rich if capex is controlled Low operating expenditure (opex) Average cost per user is very, very, VERY low. Generic Characteristics of Telco Industry Lines of business Voice Traditional fixed lines overtaken by mobile Some households do not even have fixed lines i.e. M1 gives free fixed line with fibre plan Lucrative international dialing business is largely  gone Replaced by data i.e. Skype, VOIP etc. Generic Characteristics of Telco Industry Lines of business Data Escalating bandwidth demand (geometric growth) Some business models have failed as a result Unlimited mobile data plan replaced by tiered  pricing plans Reasonably priced unlimited fixed broadband/fibre  still available in some countries (not so in the US). Price differentiation between home and business data  plans Sub segment differentiation exists – gamers (low  latency) Telcos need data to make up for loss revenue in voice  business Generic Characteristics of Telco Industry Lines of business Pay TV Telcos offering pay TV not common for all  countries. Exists in Singapore. Always a balancing act between controlling cost  of content and charging viewers more Cost is increasing for developed countries  » Not so for developing countries†¦.. Video on-demand new business model Don’t pay for a whole channel, just pay for the TV program you want Mio TV vs Cable TV Generic Characteristics of Telco Industry Strategy for non-saturated markets Build out infrastructure and coverage while  controlling capex Gain market share by grabbing customers Especially in underserved markets Attempt to lock in existing customers Increase revenue by offering differentiated price  plans Tiered data plans (both mobile and fixed) Sell supplementary services Caller ID, low latency etc. Generic Characteristics of Telco Industry Strategy for mature and saturated markets Infrastructure and coverage largely built so there is little capex Control opex tightly Gain market share by poaching customers from  competitors Avoid price war Same as before Attempt to lock in existing customers Increase revenue by offering differentiated price plans Expand into overseas markets Any economies of scale? Industry Life Cycle Analysis Porter’s Five Forces Threat of New Entrants Bargaining Power of Suppliers Competitive Rivalry Within the Industry Threat of Substitutes Bargaining Power of Buyers Porter’s Five Forces Threat of New Entrants How easy is it for new players to enter the industry? What are the barriers to entry? Loyalty to existing brands Stickiness and incentives (e.g. loyalty points) High switching costs High capex and fixed opex costs Scarcity of resources Government restrictions and licensing Technology and intellectual property rights Porter’s Five Forces Power of Suppliers How much pressure can suppliers exert on the  business? Single or few suppliers (monopoly or oligopoly) Few or no substitutes Switching to new supplier is costly or time  consuming Supplier’s product is extremely important Supplier’s industry has higher profitability than  buyer’s industry Porter’s Five Forces Power of Buyers How much pressure can buyers exert on the  business? Single or few big buyers Purchases are in large volumes Switching to a different competitor is easy No stickiness or loyalty Buyer’s are price sensitive Company’s product is not important Porter’s Five Forces Availability of Substitutes How likely are customers to switch? Few or many similar products on the market? Switching cost is low and easy to do Disruptive technology Secular changes in consumption patterns and  lifestyles Porter’s Five Forces Competitive Rivalry How intense is the competition in the industry? High competition means low margins Number of competitors and size Any dominant company? Little differentiation between competitor’s  products and services Industry life cycle Young market means all firms grow as overall pie  expands Mature market means competitors grow by taking  market share from other companies Applying Porter’s Five Forces to Starhub Threat of New Entrants Government license is required and need to bid for  airwaves in government auction Is Singapore government issuing new telco licenses? What is the availability of airwaves? Auction prices cheap or costly? High capex and fixed cost†¦..but very low opex cost per user! Loyalty and stickness Some stickiness due to contract obligations (early  termination penalty) and incentives (handset upgrade  subsidies) Low switching costs if not under contract No cost and retain old mobile number Applying Porter’s Five Forces to Starhub Power of Suppliers Pressure from handset manufacturers Handset subsidy recouped by locking in  customers into contracts Big difference in price of handset without contract Apple able to negotiate for higher prices Telcos subsidize more. Costs passed down to  consumers. Pressure from content providers Cable TV pays HBO, Fox etc for content Special events like EPL cost much more Costs have been escalating lately†¦.. Applying Porter’s Five Forces to Starhub Power of Buyers Many retail customers (Starhub is no. 2 in SG) Extremely price sensitive Little brand loyalty and stickiness Individual customer have zero power Easy to switch out to competitor’s offerings Product is important but not tied to Starhub E.g. can get same handset and data plan from  competitors Some tradeoff between monthly price plan and data All telcos moving away from all-you-can-eat data plan Applying Porter’s Five Forces to Starhub Availability of Substitutes Handsets are not tied to Starhub Voice and data plans are also not unique to Starhub Cable TV content is differentiated Competes only with Singtel but not directly Different content and pricing content Special events like EPL are hotly contented Applying Porter’s Five Forces to Starhub Competitive Rivalry Extremely high competition Mature and saturated Singapore market Starhub grows by taking market share from Singtel and M1 Little differentiation between competitor’s  products and services But no direct price competition! Despite rivalry, industry margins relatively high Low opex cost per user Average revenue per user (ARPU) is growing Driven mainly from new tiered data plans Key Ratios for Telco Industry Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) Indicator of a company’s financial performance Churn Rate Actual rate at which customers leave for a  competitor Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) Takes into account revenue, capex and opex. As market matures, ARPU drops†¦. THE EQUITY RESEARCH PROCESS Purpose of the Equity Research Report To communicate to clients a single message How to allocate financial resources All other issues are secondary What are readers looking for? Ideas, ideas and ideas! Unique ideas are great but most of the time, ideas  generated could just be the same as everyone else Herd instinct is safe option! But no one will remember you†¦..! How to Make the Report Valuable? Use the KISS principle Investors have little time (and patience) Communicate clearly, concisely and get to the point. Have something to say Does it lead to an actionable idea? Report is an opportunity to standout and may lead to  other revenue generating activities or more face time  with the client. How to Make the Report Valuable? Issue the report in a timely fashion Giving investment opinion and advise too late is  pointless â€Å"Better late than never† fails in this case Treat your reader with respect Reader may be an investment professional herself Don’t patronize or condescend Tailor tone and language to target audience How to Make the Report Valuable? Be impartial and objective A research report is not an advertisement. Even if you like the company very much, not over  hype the company – leave that to the IR firms Know your stuff Be familiar with both the industry and company Be brave (but be prepared to face the firing squad) The best analysts are willing to take risks with their  opinions

Mexican American Journal Entry Essay Example for Free

Mexican American Journal Entry Essay It has been 11 years since we have arrived to Los Angeles, California. I can still remember the feeling of when my father had said to us that he we would be moving to a far place to try to find better jobs for my mother and him because with the two jobs my father had and the washing and ironing of other peoples clothes my mom did was not bringing enough money to support my sisters and me and did they wanted to provide a better life for my sisters and me. Mexico was such a poor country that my parents could not see themselves make enough money to support my sisters and me, let alone see us get a better education. So my parents decide to migrate to the United States with one of my mother’s brother. We arrived in Los Angeles, California on July 16, 1931, with my Aunt Julia and Uncle Fernando. My family and I were so happy to finally arrive to the U. S. to live the â€Å"American Dream. † Soon we would find out that our dreams would come crushing down fast. After settling down, my mother decided it was time to enroll my sisters and me into school. My mother asked my Aunt Julia and Uncle Fernando what my sisters and I need to enroll into school but since my aunt and uncle did not have any children, they were unable to tell my parents the information we would need. As my mother, my sisters and I walked into the school we could notice all the â€Å"gringos† looking at us in a weird way (looking at us like we did not belong there). My mother can right away tell that there was something wrong that we would not be accepted into that school. My mom was correct, as we entered the office the school secretary told my mother that we were not welcomed there and that if she wanted to enroll us into school it needed to be in a segregated Mexican school. Walking out of the school with confusion on her face, my mother saw an elderly Mexican American woman who spoke Spanish and asked her if she knew the reason we were not accepted into the school. The woman proceeded to explain to my mother that in the past few years many Mexicans were migrating to the U. S forced by the economic and political disorder produced by the Mexican Revolution and were tempted by jobs in U. S. agribusiness and industry that many Americans feared losing their jobs to underpaid illegal immigrants. Americans could not deal with losing the jobs they had especially during this time of the Great Depression. The elderly woman proceeded to explain to my mother that Mexicans were not welcomed to California or other parts of the country, that Mexicans were discriminated against and that we only had to go to schools that were for Mexicans only, that the only language we could speak in the schools regardless if they were for Mexicans only was English. She read my mother some signs that said, â€Å"NO MEXICANS ALLOWED. † She continued to tell my mother which neighborhoods we could not enter and which we could. If we saw signs like the ones she read for us, then we should be aware that we were not wanted there. After finding an all Mexican school for my sisters and me, my parents thought the hard part was over. I would here them talking in their bed room that as long as they did not bother the â€Å"gringos† or got in there way we would not have anything to worry about but they were wrong. Shortly after being able to find jobs for themselves, I began to see my parents worried and listening to their radios all the time. They had just found out that Mexicans were being deported back to Mexico regardless of their legal status. The news stated that tens of thousands of Mexican families were arrested and sent to jail for 10 days before they were sent to Mexico by train, because of an anti-immigrant campaign that the Americans had done. Those families were not given a chance to proof if any family members were U. S citizens. Families were not given the chance to take anything with them. The news also began announcing free trains rides back to Mexico for Mexican American and Mexicans who wished to voluntarily be taken back to Mexico. I can remember seeing my mother cry because she said she did not want to return to Mexico and live in the horrible conditions we were living in before. She begged my father to do something so we did not have to return to Mexico. One day my father came home telling my mother that he had heard of migrant work camps established by the U. S. Farm Security Administration, or FSA and that they had a possibility of getting jobs there to stay in the U. S. The camps provided housing, food, and medicine for immigrant families as well as safety from any criminal elements that can take advantage of defenseless immigrants. We had the possibility of staying we were extremely happy!! Little by little more Mexicans have extended their stay as well as the places were we live at. The most popular places where Mexicans live at now are Chicago, California, and New York. We stayed in the U. S. , my sisters and I are receiving a great education and compared to Mexico, I think we are now living the American Dream!!!! Reference: Depression and the Struggle for Survival. (2005, April 20). Immigration. Retrieved August 10, 2008, from The Library of Congress. Koch, W. (2006, April 4). 1930s Deportees Await Apology. USA TODAY. Retrieved from http:www. usatoday. com.

Ward Management And Leadership Pressure

Ward Management And Leadership Pressure Reflective practice is a key aspect of Nursing Management and is guided by specific models of reflection. These models act as a framework within which nursing professionals can work. Additionally, it can also be considered as a learning model that serves the rationale of a profession and is predominantly linked to the field of health sciences. The practices based on Reflective approaches emphasize on the importance of learning through experiences following the thinking process and correlates the realistic experiences with the speculative learning approaches. Among the various different models of reflection, Gibbs Model strengthens upon the event and includes a critical description of situational happenings together with a reflection of perceptions and feelings persisted at that time upon being in to the state or situation. Subsequently, the nursing professional personally evaluates the nature of experience in a way that was been good or bad and thereby analyses if she can create any sense to the situation (Atkins, Murphy 1994). Within this essay, the described case study reflects on the ward manager who possessed minimal confidence at the time of assessment owing to the internal anxiety as well as the leadership pressure and lack of knowledge. In addition, this essay discusses several concerns pertaining to nursing practice and provides an insight to the potential importance of like history taking process and physical assessment. The Ward manager must understand the following principles of history taking process: Obtaining a history about health is a conversation that underlines a specific purpose. Unlike social discussions where in which we express the needs and interests with a responsibility only for ourselves, the primary goal of a nursing professional is the patient interview (carried out for the well-being of the patient) (Bickley, 2009). The underpinning ideology of history taking process is to establish a supportive and trust worthy relationship, gather and to offer information. It must be understood that the basic communication skills are essentially needed in order to maintain an effective rapport between the patient and therapist. The specific communication strategy of maintaining an open, reverent and inquisitive attitude (in questioning pattern) play a crucial role in enhancing the communication process, establishing trust and rapport together with the willingness of the patient in teaching to the history taker. But these strategies tend to exhibit difficulties during the coding process, especially when numerous answers were provided. The strategy of collaborative partnerships with the communication that is dependent on trust, respect and a willingness to reconsider assumptions assist in enabling patients to express concerns that run oppositely to the dominant culture. But these approaches cannot be applied to the limited number of population and it completely depends upon the interest of the patient. Nevertheless, the principles laid down by Tavistock (Rights, Balance, Comprehensiveness, Cooperation, Improvement, Safety and Openness) including other communication strategies guide the behaviour of individuals and the questioning patterns within healthcare. The critical knowledge about anatomical landmarks is definitely needed for any Ward Manager, prior to physical assessment process. These landmarks include hair (surface, allocation, scalp and critters), Nails and Skin (the assessor must know the terminology, diagrams and pictures of various layers). The HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouse and Throat) system, Thorax and Lung portions, the BREEK that involves breathe sounds, respiratory warning signs and terminologies as well as the video graphical picture of lungs and breast region to analyse the alveolar and blood vessel distribution (Hopcroft, Forte 2007). Additionally, the physical assessment skills play a crucial role identification and management of actual and potential health problems, evaluating the efficacy of nursing care, promoting the nurse patient relationships, making clinical judgements and developing, establishing the data that aid in the evolution of future nursing phases and practices (Jarvis, 2007). Though patient h istory is subjective, the physical assessment process is an objective study that starts with a general survey. Each part of the body that was reviewed has a nursing history during the initiation of objective exam procedure (Bickley, 2009). However, the ward manager must develop following strategies to ensure the quality within the physical assessment process. These comprise of asking open ended questions, listening cautiously and unwearyingly to the patient story, keeping an eye on physical findings, patients story, designing a methodical and organized sequence of physical examination and history taking process, evaluating mistakes in data compilation and construal techniques, conferring with the ward colleagues and reviewing the medical literature to clarify the potential uncertainties and finally applying principles of evidence based data analysis and practice within patient information and setting (Clark, Walsh 1999). On the other hand, the Ward manager must understand certain principles that govern the physical assessment. The selected assessments have to be valid, reliable and consistent. It must be highly specific and should identify the percentage of people who assessed negative among the group of people with no -diseased conditions (Cross, Rimmer 2002). Additionally, the principle of predictive value that indicates the reliability of the symptom (in examining the presence or absence of the disease) must also be conferred and the probability of true negatives out of the total population count need to be tested (Johns, 1995). Lastly, the test processes have to maintain sensitivity in a way by analysing the proportion of people with true positives and false negatives among the various groups of people under study (Higgins, 2007). Within the occupational health environments, tests are generally performed to minimise the work risks and to control the identified health complexities. The performed diagnostic tests include blood tests (Complete Blood Picture), breathing tests, heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, genetic and AIDS testing through specimen analysis (examples include stool test for occult blood, Tuberculosis testing and collecting blood samples for HIV and other sexual disease screening) (Higgins, 2007; Johns 1995). Furthermore, numerous diagnostic tests may be carried out on a regular basis depending upon the diseased condition of the patient. It is very important for the Ward Manager (who is carrying out the assessment) to understand the reference and the normal values of these diagnostic tests (Thibodeau, Patton 2006). The process of interpretation must be performed within the state of patient well being context and assessor must understand that specific circumstances like hydration, mental s tatus, fasting, nutrition and flexibility with the test etiquettes are the some of the influential factors that affect the test outcomes. The interferences due to alcohol and drug consumption, physical exercise, foods and beverages including diurnal and other cyclic variations must be analysed by the Ward Manager. This can seem to be possible only when he/she possess profound knowledge about pharmacology and physiology of the patient and exhibition of such knowledge is definitely needed to identify the patients state and condition (Bickley, 2009). In addition, the issues of Nonmaleficence (considered as not doing any harm or stated as First, do no harm). Beneficence that dictates the assessor in doing good for the patient must be followed. The specific actions of the clinicians need to be encouraged by what is within the patients best interest (Thibodeau, Patton 2006). Autonomy where in which the patients possess a right to choose their own best interest must be governed by the Ward Manager as a part of professionalism. The patient data must be maintained in a high confidential manner and should not be disclosed to anyone unless specific circumstances persist. The assessor need to enable the patient in explaining openly about his condition and should not be interrupted. In diagnosing mentally challenged patients, the ward manager need to give prime importance to the Informed Consent, an essential legal, professional and ethical issue that exercise the decision making capacity and treatment procedures (Fairley, 2005). During em ergency situations, where consent cannot be acquired, the treatment must be provided for any patient who need it and such treatment must be limited in a way that is instantaneously necessary to protect life and to prevent deterioration in patients health. This is the principle of necessity and it must be executed as a part of nursing profession (Higgins, 2007). In carrying out a physical assessment to the patient, the Ward Manager utilizes two different approaches, Head to Toe assessment (also called as Cephalocaudal approach) and Body systems approach. The first strategy involves examining the patient from top of the body to the toe portion (Schon, 1993). This type of assessment used in data collection aids to thwart overlooking of certain aspects in data collection process, minimizes the positional changes required and consumes less time as the nurse avoids periodical movements around the client. But this strategy may not ease the problem identification process. Towards the other side, the body system strategy includes collection of relevant data in accordance to the well-designed systems of the body. Further, it involves structural examination of each system with an aim to obtain clustered findings and disease identification (Bickley, 2009). Nevertheless, this approach may create tiresomeness to the patient and nurse owing to frequent po sitional changes. Additionally, this approach enables the nurse or the assessor in examining the body parts repeatedly and thereby devour more time. With relation to the present case study, it is highly necessary for the ward manager to gain sufficient knowledge on underlying principles of two strategies and I suggest he/she should implement the specific approach depending upon the patient condition, time and the proposed treatment (Bickley, 2009). If I was given a role in performing physical assessment, I would divide the patient body in to six general areas: head and neck, chest, abdomen, extremities, genitalia, anus and rectum. The findings obtained will be conferred for high accuracy as they critically depend upon specific techniques employed as well as on the structures identified (Jarvis, 2007). Additionally, the mental status assessment will be performed as a part of my role as this help would me in obtaining information about the level of patients organic functioning, attention, memory, abstract thinking ability. Each patient is assessed in a Cephalocaudal manner and the data obtained was documented carefully as it is important in the objective assessment (physical assessment) process (Cross, Rimmer 2002). Additionally, I will correlate the information present in preliminary test reports with the objective assessment data to identify the exact aetiology of the disease. The knowledge gained with relation to the reference and normal values will be applied within the treatment practice to understand the critical effect of prevailing imbalances. The patient will be assessed in a confident manner without any interference of anxiety and depression. The knowledge gained through the pharmacological and physiological perspectives was utilised to evaluate the disease and its deleterious effects on body systems. Following the analytical interpretations, the patient is then prescribed with the medication that suits with the disease condition. The total patient report signifying his name, identified medical problem, tests, findings and the treatment plan proposed will be documented for future reference (Bickley, 2009). Apart from these, various inter professional working barriers optimise the health care profession as well as the assessment process. These include professional jealousies, impractical expectations of others, confusion ambiguity about the role, professional attitudes towards one another, leadership responsibilities, anxiety, depression and lack of knowledge and several others. To enable an effective working relationship in nursing practice, it is very important to address these issues (Gustafsson, Fagerberg 2004). Among various factors depicted above, Leadership is the important issue and good leadership is essentially needed to enable efficient and effective decision making processes and assessments. The study by Clouder and Sellars (2004) identified that there may be nervousness for nurses and ward managers between their traditional role of care and rehabilitation therapy that demands standing back and encouraging independence. Introducing sudden responsibilities upon the nurses in a way by moving them from comfort zone (of taking care of patients) may increase their work load and this eventually leads in inappropriate assessment (Clouder, Sellars 2004). In order to demonstrate high expertise within the health care practice, nurses must possess essential skills related to therapeutic practice, coordination, empowerment and advocacy, education, clinical reasoning and governance, political awareness and advice or counselling techniques (Clouder, Sellars 2004). Today, the National and International Organisations in various countries have recognised the health promotional strategies for physical assessment process. Current concepts of these strategies include detection and prevention of disease through active promotion of well-being and quality of life, in-depth understanding of physical, cognitive, emotional and social factors that underline the disease process and addressing such factors with the use of sophisticated methodologies. Additionally, the patients must be advised about the various developmental strategies and an integrated explanation should be provided on the physical findings with health promotion (Somerville, Keeling 2004). When diagnosing children, the nurse must advise their parents about various developmental strategies, immunisation schedules, screening procedures that aid in their child development process. It must be understood that in order to achieve a healthier world, every health care professional must broadly empha sise on comprehensive health promotional strategies during childhood as their ultimate future depends upon the implementation of these approaches. Conclusion The present case study upon the Ward manager who was ineffective in carrying out assessment owing to depression, anxiety and leadership was effectively demonstrated along with the strategies that are needed to be followed to tackle such conditions. The manager was recommended to gain knowledge about pharmacological, physiological and anatomical perspectives. Lastly, I would advise the Ward manager to repeatedly practice Gibbs model of reflection, in a way by completing an exercise that provide an elaborate description of events, feelings, good and bad experiences and thereby analysing the responses practically to the situation under study.

Kanes Blasted Essay -- Theater Play Analysis

â€Å"I’ve only ever written to escape from hell-and it’s never worked-but at the other end of it when you sit there and watch something and think that’s the most perfect expression of the hell that I felt then maybe it was worth it. (Sarah Kane, Royal Holloway College, London, 3 November 1998).† (Saunders. 2002: 1). Both representative and reflected in this statement made by the British playwright Sarah Kane (1971-1999) (Sierz. 2001: 90-91) is the state of being human. In its literal sense the state of being human could be illustrated as an expression of existence. That of the individual and characteristics and traits experienced through the life of mortal man. (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 61 & 366). In addition to this, the associated meaning with the word ‘tested’ suggests ‘a difficult situation that reveals the strength or quality of someone or something.’ (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 785). When defined in t hese terms, this then opens up the question to how an expression of human-existence is revealed under pressure in Sarah Kane’s play Blasted (1995). The twentieth century British playwright Sarah Kane’s (1971-1999) first and sensational drama Blasted opened in the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, in January 1995. (Saunders. 2002: 2). From the outset Kane’s play stirred much controversy within the media. The title itself had a great impact upon its audience, as blasted through its formed meaning and literal association is a term ‘expressing annoyance.’ (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 70). As stated by the British theatre critic Aleks Sierz, Kane’s Blasted is â€Å"a shocking play whose raw language and powerful images of rape, eye-gouging and cannibalism provoked critical outrage†¦Kane exploded theatri... ...tp://www.robertsilverstone.com/wp-content/articles/Art_of_Being_Human_Part1.pdf. [Accessed 21st April 2012] Stephens, S. (2010) Sarah Kane’s debut play Blasted returns. [On-line] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/oct/24/sarah-kane-blasted. [Accessed 21st April 2012] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, (2009) War. [On-line] Available from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/war. [Accessed 21st April 2012] The Guardian, (2005) ‘Suicide art? She’s better than that.’ [On-line] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2005/oct/12/theatre. [Accessed 21st April 2012] Wixson, C. (2005) â€Å"In Better Places†: Space, Identity, and Alienation in Sarah Kane’s Blasted. [On-line] Available from: http://muse.jhu.edu.ezproxy.falmouth.ac.uk/journals/comparative_drama/summary/v039/39.1.wixson.html. [Accessed 19th April 2012]

European Economic and Monetary Union Essay -- essays papers

European Economic and Monetary Union The Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is a single currency area within the European Union in which people, goods, services and capital move without restriction (Europa Quest (1), 2001). Imperative to the success of the EMU is the implementation of a single European currency, the Euro, and the application of specific macro-economic policies by the EMU member states (Harris, 1999: 78). Moreover, it is the foreseeable intent of European governments to create a framework for stability, peace and prosperity through the promotion of structural change and regional development (JP Morgan, 2001). This essay will endeavor to highlight the fundamental gains likely to be accrued by the European business community as a result of EMU policy provisions. The developments and circumstances preceding the EMU formation will be examined to give insight into the functioning of a monetary union. Furthermore, it is essential to analyze the implications the EMU has for firms within both ‘Euroland†™ and other European nations. To establish a strong understanding of the intricacies of the EMU, it is essential to discuss both the antecedents and major developments in this monetary union. The origins of the EMU can be traced to the formation of the European Coal and Steel community (ECSC) in the early 1950s, which was the first attempt to harness European economic unity to achieve greater international competitiveness (Per Jacobson, 1999) (Duisenberg, 1998). The success of this venture prompted the foreign ministers of six ECSC nations to examine the possibility of further economic integration (Chulalongkorn University, 1999). Hence, in 1957 one the most significant agreements in European economics history, The Treaty of Rome, was signed. The Treaty of Rome’s fundamental goal was to provide for the creation of a common market (Kenwood & Lougheed, 1999:280). The most significant aspect of this treaty was the commitment made by such countries as Belgium, France, West Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Luxembourg to facilitate the free movement of goods, services and factors of production. Essentially, these European governments sought to eliminate internal trade barriers, create common external tariffs and harmonies member states laws and regulations (Hill, 2001: 233). This movement towards a common European market continued with relative success ... ...gheed, 1999. The Growth of the International Economy: 1820-2000. Routledge Press: London. ï‚ · Martin, Peter, 1997. EMU’s New Horizon. www.stern.nyu.edu/nroubini/EMU/. Visited Mach 2001. ï‚ · Preston Robert, 1997. Note of Confusion on Single Currency. www.princetoneconomics.com. Visited April 2001. ï‚ · Princeton Economics, 1998. Country Analysis: United Kingdom. www.princetoneconomics.com . Visted April 2001. ï‚ · Roubini, Nouriel, 1997. Notes on Europe, the Euro and EMU. www.stern.nyu.edu/nroubini/EMU . Visited April 2001. ï‚ · Salmon, Pierre, 2000. Decentralisation and Supernationality: The Case of the EU. www.imf.org. Visited April 2001. ï‚ · Salvatore, Dominick, 1998. International Economics (Sixth Edition). Prentice Hall: New Jersey. ï‚ · Solomon, Robert, 1999. International Effects of the Euro. www.brook.edu/comm/policybriefs/ . Visited March 2001. ï‚ · Soltwedel, Rudiger, Dohse Dirk & Krieger-Boden, Christianne. 2000. European Labour Markets and the EMU Challenges Ahead. www.imf.org . Visited April 2001. ï‚ · Tett, Gillian, 1996. The Single Currency: Everything you wanted to know? . www.stern.nyu.edu/nroubini/EMU . Visited April 2001.

Visual Imagery in The English Patient, by Michael Ondaatje Essay

Every writer uses a different set of methods, known as the narrative mode, to portray the plot to the audience for individual reasons. In the first section of â€Å"The English Patient†, Michael Ondaatje uses his narrative mode in order to more effectively convey his message in an appealing way. One way he does this is by presenting the reader with visual images and vivid description that trigger their imagination. His use of visual imagery, description, and pronouns to present the settings, and to describe people and their actions is part of his narrative mode. By eschewing the names of characters, and creating these images, he is calling attention to the small details in the text, which helps convey his message. A visual image, if well described, is particularly an exciting and eye-catching moment for the reader. In â€Å"The English Patient,† Ondaajte uses the following image to describe the English patient’s condition: â€Å"Above the shins the burns are worst. Beyond purple. Bone† (3). Ondaajte uses the words â€Å"beyond purple,† and â€Å"bone† not only to show the reader the extent of the Engli...

Views of Christianity and Islam Towards Trade

Christianity and Islam are two of the most practiced religions in the world, and have been for centuries. These two faiths are both monotheistic, which means they worship one God, or Allah. Started over 2000 years ago, Christianity is based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and was spread throughout the Roman Empire. The religion of Islam began early in 600 C. E. by the prophet Muhammad, and he spread the word of Allah. These religions spread quickly in Europe and the Middle East. As they progressed, new trading routes came about in these areas.Overtime, Christianity and Islam developed opinions about the trading and businesses activity and the people who pursued it. According to the religion’s holy books, the Bible and Qur’an, their views on trade were different at first. Christians believed that people should not trade; for it was not the pursuit of man. Muslims were much more tolerant of trade, as long as merchants were honest in their bargaining. By 1000 C. E, both the religions’ attitudes towards trade had changed completely. Christian scholars began to teach that honest trade was acceptable, while Muslim scholars saw the danger that trade brought to a man’s soul.By the 15th century, attitudes towards trade had even more drastic change once again. Christianity espoused that trade was encouraged and worthy, while Muslims believed merchants were corrupt. When the two religions first began, Christianity and Islam differed at first on their views concerning trade. As stated in the Christian Bible, it is almost impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (document 1). For Christians, at first they had to live a humble life without making any profits.Its said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. As for Muslims this differed because in the Qur’an, men were allowed to trade as long as they were honest; said in document 2. â€Å"I f the two parties speak the truth and make it manifest, their transaction shall be blessed, and if they conceal and tell and lie, the blessing of their transaction shall be obliterated. † This means that if two people trade fairly amongst each other without cheating, then nothing is wrong according to the Islam beliefs.If one of the men are cheated, then their business will be wiped out. The point of document 1 was that Jesus was a poor man, therefore his followers lived up to being poor as well. When Christianity started, Christians believed that in order to go to heaven, they must live a poor and humble life, like Jesus did. The same logic applies for Muslims in document 2, who’s founder Muhammed was a wealthy merchant. In document two, the author is supporting merchants and saying that they will be accepted by Allah as long as they are truthful.Muslims strongly believed that it was okay to be a wealthy merchant as long you are honest, like Muhammed. Therefore, the tw o religions were at first different because Christianity had negative views toward trade while Islam was for it; and they were alike because the reason for their views both traced back to their founders. In documents four and five, the view points of Christians and Muslims toward trade began to change. Christians, who were at first against trade and becoming wealthy from it, now say that it is okay to trade as long as you are honest.Stated in document four, â€Å"No man should sell a thing to another man for more than its worth. † This is saying that for men to do business with one another, they must not sell things for more than they are worth, or in other words scam each other. While Christian scholars are becoming more lenient towards trade than they were when the religion started, Islamic scholars are becoming more strict. Muslims now believe that selling things for a profit, even if it is honest, is inevitably affecting the soul. â€Å"These qualities lead to a decrease and weakening in virtue and manliness,† (document five).The Islam look on trade now sees that the methods that trade employs are tricks aimed at making a profit by securing the difference between buying and selling prices. The two religions, however, are still somewhat similar because they both believe that trading for large profits can eventually lead to corruption of the soul. Views of trade by Christians and Muslims yet continued to change even further in documents six and seven. It seems in document six as if Christians were being encouraged to trade as long as it involved God.Religious paintings of Our Lady were being asked for, therefore Christians now want people to trade. Also in document six it is stated that, â€Å"You know God has granted you to acquire great riches in this world, may He be praised. † It is now expected for Christian merchants to trade and use God while doing so. Overtime you can see the change on the views of trade, because at first Christi ans did not want anyone making a large profit. As for Muslims, merchants are loosing money from trading. In document seven, Sakaoglu Nasuh is an example of how over time the commerce activity has affected his ethical customs. The aforementioned has now acted contrary to the old custom. † This is because he is buying all the cotton yarn and selling them for higher prices. Hence, not giving the other merchants a fair opportunity to buy and sell the cotton as well. This is going against what the Islam religion believed, which is business activities are acceptable as long as you are not taking advantage of others. The Islamic Court probably said this is document seven because they wanted to please the people and let them know that merchants must obey.The two religions continue to differ in these documents because Christians are now persuading people to trade, while Islam trading is becoming monopolized. However, Christianity and Islam are still alike in which they both use religio n as an example. The attitudes of Christianity and Islam towards trade and merchants differed. When the two religions first began, they had opposite views from each other. Christians saw trade and wealth as being far from God and it was not approved. Muslims, on the other hand, tolerated trade as long as the two parties were honest and no one was taken advantage of.Later on, these views changed when Christians became more lenient and also accepted honest trade. Muslims then saw trade as inevitably affecting the soul when merchants became corrupt by outbidding other merchants. However, we would need additional documents such as documents from the common people in order to asses the consequences of the merchant activities. We do not know how the Christians’ or Muslims’ commoners viewed the trading business, therefore, we cannot fully understand all aspects of the religions towards it.