The Ethics of Cloning free essay sample

A study of the ethical and potentially profitable issues surrounding mammalian cloning. The paper discusses the two topics of debate which have sprung up since mammalian cloning made headlines whether cloning is ethically correct, and whether it can become a profitable business. The paper shows how the two sets of questions have in the intervening five years become more and more tightly bound together, especially as the process of mammalian cloning has proved to be more technically difficult than once assumed. Faced with scores of maimed and partial individuals preceding each healthy clone, many scientists and many of those outside the scientific community have spent a great deal of time wondering whether it is ethical to go forward with such research, aside from the practical questions of whether cloning could ever become economically viable. Even those who wholeheartedly support cloning are in general morally opposed to the cloning of entire human individuals. We will write a custom essay sample on The Ethics of Cloning or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Such an action is seen to violate some of our most deeply held beliefs about the sacredness and uniqueness of the individual. As a result, most cloning research today is focused on creating and then harvesting stem cells that might then be induced to grow into what are essentially spare parts. Thus a person who is blind might have new corneas grown for him while the diabetic might have a new pancreas grown for her.

lsfvh essays

lsfvh essays The Internet provides many different types of information on virtually any topic possible. There are many components that make up the Internet besides text. Software that is available on the Internet is ever-changing and is rapidly growing. Napster is a software company located in California, that distributes music, to users all over the world. Napster is among the many programs that enables you to "share" audio files with people all over the world on the Internet. The controversial topic is, where do you cross the line between sharing and stealing? Many people believe that Napster should be banned permanently because it violates numerous copyright laws and many major company labels should be paid for there losses. There are also some people that think Napster should be allowed because it isn't really considered to be stealing if someone gives you the music for free. This issue has intensified over the past 6 months, and now there is a legal debate to determine Napster's fate on the Internet. The co-owner of Napster is Shawn Fanning. At a young age of 19 years old, Fanning designed Napster as a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston. Fanning bought and self-taught himself Windows 95, Common Controls and Messages API Bible off of www.Amazon.com. He began building a piece of software that would allow people to connect to a computer network where they could freely trade songs back and forth. This is defined as peer to peer technology. He named it Napster and it was more than just normal computer code. What he created was not only the fastest-growing Internet program in the world but also the launch of a "paradigm shift" for the world wide web. Some have dubbed Fanning the "Robin hood of the Internet", comparing him to stealing from rich music industries and providing millions with free music. Fanning dropped out of school, reloca ...

Peculiarities of media creation nowadays Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Peculiarities of media creation nowadays - Essay Example The creation of media in USA was initiated as a political decision of technological invention. This led to the political decision of having a state run postal service that eventually affected the society in one way or the other. The government through laws such as the public access to information laws clearly demonstrated the role of the state in shaping the path that journalism, mass media and mass communication would be affected. It also shows how future media would be created and how it influences the society either socially, politically or politically and how it relates to the global perspective. Eminent scholars have argued that political decisions, considerations and reasons led to the creation of the media in United States (Starr 2004, p.2) as a profitable and powerful institution where the decisions made led to the growing number of communication empires currently witnessed in the nation and the world at large. He states that technology and economics cannot singlehandedly exp lain the communication media currently present. To him communication media has got a direct impact on the exercise of power and understanding the media must account itself while taking into account political considerations. Therefore political decisions will continue to influence the media for a long time and its creation. In America, the framework provided either institutionally, politically or legally is favourable to the creation and development of media. The environment came about as a concern made of political considerations in which the American Constitutional framework and the defining political and legal decisions produced a viable and vibrant network of communication for the United States and later the world. The aforementioned coupled with the freedom of speech enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution led to the subsidization of newspapers through a comprehensive postal network that ensured some form of privacy. This encouraged people to take thes e forms of media for their daily activities as communication networks quickly spread to a much wider area of the society supported by a conducive legal and political climate. Politics has therefore converged with modern media as literacy and news receive more attention through the media that is utilized by them in all scenarios. Audiences can create the media by making themselves available to the media or making use of the particular media front and this explains the rationale for the existence of the media in our daily lives. The utilization of the media by those who provide it is always targeted towards a particular audience all the time. It is important to note that all prospective providers of media platforms must give account of their target audiences before any form of media is made or adopted (Gupta and Brooks 2013, p.201). Exploration of the target audience and its position within the system of mass communication allows the media creators or providers to identify sites of co ntestations in the system. The audiences in the media create contexts within which to combine the media and other life-style experiences as people create time to make use of different media in their daily tasks. Influence of Globalization on Media Globalization in relation to the media studies refer to the strengthening of connections between persons in the society that enables us understand the world as one to create awareness of our own place and how it relates within the world experience. As an

Design in its Golden Age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Design in its Golden Age - Essay Example These rises were paralleled by a growth in export figures over the same period and by 1957 the world trade in manufactured goods exceeded that in primary produce for the first time ever " (Sparke, 1987). Such economical prosperity was mainly due to the rapid development of technology during and after the Second World War. Among the most significant achievements were creation of radar and work in aircraft production. For Sparke (1987) it was creation of the transistor, "which made possible the miniaturization of electronic equipment, including computers, which in turn were to play such a central role in the postwar period, both in the automation of production and in information retrieval". Manufacturing and trade expanded rapidly and soon achieved the international level. The outcomes allowed the consumers to buy more and more and the producers made their best to satisfy purchasers. Press and Cooper (2003) in the chapter "Design and consumer culture" argue that in the first part of the twentieth century the economy was organized on a national basis. Today people, commodities, and money circulate around the world. "The things we take for granted today - driving a Toyota made in England, foreign holidays, the overseas students with whom we study, our Levis made in the Philippines, bunches of flowers sold on New York streets that are grown in Africa, e-mail exchanges with friends in other countries - reflect a level of globalization that was unheard of a generation ago" (Press and Cooper, 2003). The number of choices grew and here the designers envisaged their major challenge: design became the means by which goods were distinguished. With the help of designers producers tried to make their product more desirable for the consumer. One of the most enduring images of design for consumer luxury was the image of American car in 50's, which combined the huge sweeping forms of streamlined luxury with chrome detail and space age tail fins. General motors' Designer, Harley Earl, was aimed to channel consumer spending towards a new car every year. "By 1953, everyone in the United States who really needed a car had already bought one, so the automobile companies realized that if they were to keep up their sales figures they would have to change their styling more often. The great idea was to use design features that were so extreme that they would date quickly" (Powell, and Peel, 1988, p.66). Press and Cooper (2003) provide their understanding of design. To them it "is a process by which a product is encoded with symbolic meaning both through product design and advertising design. This encoding aims to point towards a preferred reading of the product". As an example they give the Italian scooter, which encoded a preferred reading of it as a feminized form of transport. Press and Cooper (2003, p.15) quote sociologists Scott Lash and John Uny who explain, "we analyze, not so much knowledge - or information-intensivity in production, but design-intensivity and, with the decline of importance of the labour process, the growing importance of the design process". The combination of words "total design" appeared, the expression "form follows function" was turned into "design follows sales". Designers designed anything and everything in a new postwar world

Human resource development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human resource development - Essay Example The company employs about 50,000 personnel, in 34 countries and worldwide branded returns in 2011 were approximately ?13bn ($21bn). All the success of Virgin Group can be attributed to Richard Branson effective leadership. Branson dropped out of school at the age of 16 and yet he has managed to build a business empire through his ability to influence his employees towards achievement of his vision and the set goals. Some of the quality leadership traits of Richard Branson are extravert; he is charismatic, loves being around people and fun. Secondly, he respects people and as a result provides great value to the people who work under him. Thirdly, time management; he has managed to build many companies in a short-duration of time- there are always new projects undergoing in the company (Zacharo, 2001). Fourthly, delegation- Branson portrays willingness to step back and allow others to take on key positions in the company. Branson argues, â€Å"For as much as you need a strong persona lity to build a business from scratch, you must also understand the art of delegation. I have to be willing to step back now," he admits. "I have to be good at helping people run the individual businesses – it can’t just be me that sets the culture when we recruit people† (Crush, 2010, par. 4). Branson also encourages people to generate ideas and then he backs them up. He connects with employees across all levels and verticals. He has also build trust among the top management as he gives stakes and does not interfere. Branson is also a leader who always has a vision; he has more than 400 companies yet he is still looking out for more: he sees opportunities for growth everywhere. In spite of his prosperity, he has not let go his profit-making objectives and sometimes he appears to initiate new undertakings on a nearly daily basis (Dearlove, 2007). Lastly, Branson is a friendly and outgoing person, as portrayed in the book â€Å"Business the Richard Branson Wayâ⠂¬  by Des Dearlove (2007). He captivates the employees and public through the unexpected prospect of making the grey world sparkle with fun as well as excitement. He creates an exciting work culture in order to motivate and retain good people (Dearlove, 2007). Richard Branson is a great leader and his unique leadership style has been quite effective; he has shown that any person can get very far in life in spite of the type of background they have and the kind of history they have. He has many leadership abilities and an electric personality, which makes him one of the most influential and effective business leaders in the world. Training and Development for Increasing Branson Attributes Development of the right people- The Virgin Group has developed rapidly because of a clear focus on the development of the right people, using the right systems, the right organizational structure and motivating the groups’ new projects. Leaders should have a clear leadership strategy like Sir Richard Bryson in which the key to build business shrewdness is developing a work environment that enables the employees to use their ideas as well as let go of their pent-up frustration which can build when people have ideas but experience difficulties realizing them

The Importance of Ecumenism

The Importance of Ecumenism That they all may be one; as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:21) Ecumenism must always be a concept that is central to good Christian living; it is a concept that should be alive and active and a concept that should always be served effectively through thought, through word and through action. Ecumenism is a word that is mentioned a lot within the wider universal church, but what exactly is it? What does it mean, and does it really matter? It is a concept within the Christian faith that aims to restore unity both amongst and within different Christian denominations. Central to the concept of ecumenism are the themes of unity, fellowship and collaboration. Christian unity and thus ecumenism is something that all Christians should be concerned with. For Catholics, ecumenism should be considered a vital mission of the Church, for it was Christ who gave us the gift of unity and thus all of us should strive to enhance, restore and maintain this gift as appropriate. In recent times, more than ever before, He has been rousing divided Christians to remorse over their divisions and to a longing for unity. Everywhere large numbers have felt the impulse of this grace, and among our separated brethren also there increases from day to day the movement, fostered by the grace of the Holy Spirit, for the restoration of unity among all Christians. This movement toward unity is called ecumenical (U.R., 1964). Quite often as Christians it can be all too easy for each of us to identify the divisions and obstacles between ourselves and those of other Christian denominations, but what unites us is far stronger than what divides us. If Christians are to be truly ecumenical in their outlook, then better relationships and better understandings of different Christian perspectives are essential both from an internal and external perspective on the part of the individual. Catholics in particular should remember that within the Roman Catholic Church there are many different rites and that while all are focused on the same God adored in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the different rites are often unique in terms of aspects of heritage, liturgy, tradition, customs and cultures. The key word with regard to the uniqueness of the different rites within the Catholic Church and between other Christian denominations is diversity and diversity should be a source of celebration and rejoicing rather than division and separation. The Ordinariate, for example, as a rite within the Catholic Church has a style and patrimony that is distinct from other rites and groups within the wider Catholic Church and what is important to remember is that diversity is not a bad thing but it is a good thing. Rather than looking at diversity as something that prevents unity or acts as a barrier to it, we should come to understand and appreciate that diversity is actually something that seeks to enhance unity. The Catholic Church embraces with hope the commitment to ecumenism as a duty of the Christian conscience enlightened by faith and guided by love. Here too we can apply the words of Saint Paul to the first Christians of Rome: Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit; thus our hope does not disappoint us (Rom 5:5). This is the hope of Christian unity, which has its divine source in the Trinitarian unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (U.U.S., 1995). In a society where the message of the Gospels appears to be absent in so many ways, all Christian denominations should seek to work together to be people of faith in what can often be a dark and troubled world. Spreading the message of Jesus to those around us is part of our duty as Christians. We must also see the face of God in all of those around us and constantly seek to do what is right and just. For Catholics, working and engaging positively and in cooperation with other Christian denominations who worship or pray in a different manner from ourselves and who express their faith in different ways is essential for unity. What is important is that God must always be our focus, that individuals should strive to be dignified and reverent in their own style of worship and prayer. Further to this, Catholics should acknowledge their duty to engage with other Christian denominations at every opportunity. This can be through local partnerships and national initiatives, there are many opportunities for Catholics to engage with other Christians in a unified manner. For they are of the opinion that the unity of faith and government, which is a note of the one true Church of Christ, has hardly up to the present time existed, and does not to-day exist. They consider that this unity may indeed be desired and that it may even be one day attained through the instrumentality of wills directed to a common end, but that meanwhile it can only be regarded as mere ideal. They add that the Church in itself, or of its nature, is divided into sections; that is to say, that it is made up of several churches or distinct communities, which still remain separate, and although having certain articles of doctrine in common, nevertheless disagree concerning the remainder; that these all enjoy the same rights; and that the Church was one and unique from, at the most, the apostolic age until the first Ecumenical Councils. Controversies therefore, they say, and longstanding differences of opinion which keep asunder till the present day the members of the Christian fami ly, must be entirely put aside, and from the remaining doctrines a common form of faith drawn up and proposed for belief, and in the profession of which all may not only know but feel that they are brothers. The manifold churches or communities, if united in some kind of universal federation, would then be in a position to oppose strongly and with success the progress of irreligion (M.A., 1928) The need for greater care and attention to be shown to the whole human race is very much apparent in todays society and through common fellowship centred on Jesus Christ; Christians of all denominations can be a common and unified voice of faith in our society. The voice of Christians who are united is one that can promote the values of honesty, integrity, kindness, compassion, support and sensitivity throughout society and can show to society as a whole that valuing the human dignity and worth of every single person is something of great importance. The path to full Christian unity is an ongoing journey, but all of us must respect our brothers and sisters of different denominations, remembering that unity is something desired by God. Christ bestowed unity on his Church from the beginning. This unity, we believe, subsists in the Catholic Church as something she can never lose, and we hope that it will continue to increase until the end of time.Christ always gives his Church the gift of unity, but the Church must always pray and work to maintain, reinforce, and perfect the unity that Christ wills for her. This is why Jesus himself prayed at the hour of his Passion, and does not cease praying to his Father, for the unity of his disciples: That they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be one in us, . . . so that the world may know that you have sent me.The desire to recover the unity of all Christians is a gift of Christ and a call of the Holy Spirit. (C.C.C., 2011) It is fantastic that the Year of Mercy was embraced by both Catholics and non-Catholics alike and even though the Year of Mercy has now officially ended, its legacy will live on for many years to come. In order for us all to be able fully to embrace the concept of Christian unity, forgiveness and mercy must be central elements in our approach to the idea of unity with all of us remembering that unity is like teamwork, it gives us all the potential to allow us to achieve far more collectively than we can on an individual level. In addition to physical action, prayer is a key component in achieving Christian unity. It is though prayer that we become closer to God and while praying may not always be easy, it is a way in which all of us can truly open our hearts and minds to God. Praying for Christian unity is something of great importance and is something we should all try to do, as is praying with our fellow Christians. We must remember that unity begins at the foot of the cross. As with teamwork, unity is a collective effort that has the potential to achieve far more than can be achieved on an individual level. As individuals, we are all precious in the eyes of God, we are all equal and though Christian unity we can all seek to glorify God in collective and sincere manners. Striving for unity both within the Catholic Church and within the Christian faith as a whole must continue. The challenges and barriers to unity must be constantly worked on in order for unity to be achieved. All of us have our part to play, through prayer, acknowledgement, understanding, appreciation, engagement and fellowship with all Catholics and people of the Christian faith. Ecumenism should not be seen as a trivial matter as its aim is ultimately for us all to be one, one with each other and one with God, the father of all. Christian unity is something all Christians should be concerned with. Perhaps we should all ponder on the first few words of Psalm 132 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. All Bible quotes are from The Jerusalem Bible. Catechism Catholic Church, 2011. YOUCAT. English Language ed. s.l.:Catholic Truth Society. Web resourses: internet source 1: John Paul II, 1995. Ut Unum Sint (25 May 1995) | John Paul II. Available at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25051995_ut-unum-sint.html[Accessed 10th February 2017]. Internet source 2: Pius XI, 1928. Mortalium Animos (January 6, 1928) | PIUS XI.Available at: http://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19280106_mortalium-animos.html[Accessed 11th February 2017]. Internet source 3: Vatican II, 1964. Unitatis redintegratio. Available at: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html[Accessed 10th February 2017]. Word count 1125.

A Taste of Honey by Shelagh Delaney Essay -- English Literature

In writing A Taste of Honey, what impact did Shelagh Delaney hope to have upon her audience? What techniques did she use to achieve these aims? Shelagh Delaney wrote "A Taste of Honey" in 1958 when she was only 18. "A Taste of Honey" is a story about the relationship between a girl and her mother. The mother, Helen, who is a semi-whore, leaves her daughter, Jo, to get married to Peter. Jo has a relationship with a sailor and gets pregnant. The sailor then leaves for duty. Jo meets Geoff, they become friends and Geoff offers to help Jo bring up the baby. Helen returns after splitting up with Peter and wants Jo back. The audience that Shelagh Delaney was writing for consisted mainly of middle class and upper class people. Her audience were used to seeing productions about characters leading similar lives to their own. The stereotypical play was where the men worked and the women stayed at home, cleaning and cooking. "A Taste of Honey" did not have these qualities at all. Shelagh Delaney's aims were to shock her audience into seeing what the real world could be like. The audience of the time were relatively un-aware of the truth about working classes and their lives. This type of play was new to the theatrical stage, and could take time before the "working class" plays would be accepted and appreciated. The upper classes were mostly unaware that the lower classes were leading such different lives to themselves. Shelagh Delaney's play brought to light what the lower classes lives were like and the differences between the two classes. The plays of the time had very structured, clear story lines, with stereotypical happy families. Shelagh Delaney challenged these ideas about the ideal play along with man... ... "A Taste of Honey" was inspiration for many writers. The writers of "Soaps" like Coronation Street and Eastenders will have been greatly influenced by the new ideas that Shelagh Delaney had brought into theatre. Shelagh Delaney will have influenced these writers because she had written a play about a topic that hadn't been shown on television before and the producers were looking for new ideas. Shelagh Delaney's work only has a small relevance to today's audience. Most of the ideas and concepts in it are aimed to suit the audience of the 1950's/60's. The theatre audiences of today know that most modern working classes do not live as the characters do in "A Taste of Honey". In "A Taste of Honey" Shelagh Delaney shocked her audience by presenting them with situations that they were not used to. This effect created a well structured and enjoyable play.

George Orwell’s “Politics and the English Language” Rhetorical Précis Essay

Goerge Orwell, in â€Å"Politics and the English Language†, demonstrates how to effectively express oneself with written language. To do so, Orwell states the â€Å"dos† and â€Å"don’ts† of effective writing. Because the rules for writing effectively are so complex, Orwell utilizes parallel structure to make the body structure of his essay more cohesive: â€Å"†¦ it has nothing to do with archaism†¦ it is especially concerned with the scrapping of†¦ It has nothing to do with correct grammar†¦ it is not concerned with†¦ Nor does it even imply†¦ though it does imply†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Orwell). Orwell interlaces multiple parallel structures to give the body both unity and a back-and-forth feel that keeps the audience on their toes. If he had not done so, his arguments would have quickly become repetitive and monotonous. Although Orwell specifically states that â€Å"correct grammar and syntax†¦ are of no importance†, one can see that he has gone to great lengths to achieve an engaging effect through syntax. The back-and-forth action of the body paragraphs and his self-contradiction alludes to a rule he introduces later in the writing: â€Å"Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous† (Orwell). He then goes on to break a number of his previously stated rules, some more blatantly than others: â€Å"†¦ send some worn-out and useless phrase†¦ into the dustbin† (Orwell). He also uses polysyllabic diction at some points, though he expressly states to â€Å"Never use a long word where a short one will do†. His contradiction of himself may at first leave some readers puzzled, but ultimately establishes the concept that a writer should not be afraid to break conventions to make a point.

5 simple job search tips you’re probably forgetting -TheJobNetwork

5 simple job search tips you’re probably forgetting -TheJobNetwork There’s a lot to keep straight when you’re looking for a job. Things you need to put on your resume or else. How to build your brand so that you don’t seem hopelessly out of date. The nuances of interview questions you’re likely to face when you get through the door. And because you’re human, you might be forgetting some painfully obvious things that need to be checked off as well. Let’s look at some of the most commonly forgotten job search to-dos. 1. Go offline sometimes.Yes, most companies have some form of online application submission these days. Yes, you want to maximize your resume and cover letter for the keyword bots. But don’t make those your entire focus. We can get so mired in the online application machine that we forget to look up and see what else might be available. Don’t forget to work your network to see if they know of any openings, or reach out to recruiters to see what they may have as well.2. It’s ok ay to let your personality shine.As a rule, it’s good to be a little wary of your full everyday self- warts and all- becoming part of the job search process. You want to be evaluated on your professional merits, not your Facebook timeline. But don’t be afraid to make (appropriate) jokes in an interview, or show some personality in a cover letter. Your interviewers and readers are people too, and they would appreciate getting to see who you are, in addition to the points on your resume.3. Tailor your resume for the specific job.Going back to the online application engines, it can be easy to forget that you’re not just uploading a PDF to a portal. You’re not just a jumble of keywords; you’re trying to show that you’re a great and obvious fit for the job opening. That means taking the specific job description and making sure your application materials line up with it. If the hiring manager has to work to make a connection between you and the jo b, that usually means a fast track to the â€Å"no thanks† pile.4. Treat your LinkedIn profile as a living resume.Let’s face it: anyone who’s thinking of bringing you in for an interview is also likely to do a little internet sleuthing. And one of the first internet stops is likely to be your LinkedIn profile. That means you need to invest in your profile’s upkeep. Make sure it at least matches your current resume, but don’t hesitate to add things as they come up so that anyone who’s looking for you can see that you’re not only evolving all the time, you’re also on it with your online presence.5. Manners always matter.Sure, sending a handwritten thank you note on fancy paper has fallen out of favor in our fast-paced, everything-digital-always society. That doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for basic courtesy like thank you notes.Again, there’s a lot going on in your job search, but if you pay attention to so me of the smaller details along the way, you’re increasing your chances of success.

African Proverbs essays

African Proverbs essays African proverbs are thought of much more than artistic sayings. They symbolize real life situations in just a few words that consummate great meaning. In cultures without literature, proverbs provide an array of values and knowledge. Proverbs often, also provide entertainment because they may consist of rhyme or clever allusions. African leaders have turned to proverbs for their wisdom, and to acquire support and respect from their people. Proverbs are unforgettable not only because they abrupt, but because they take a complicated life situation and sum it up into a few comprehensive words. African proverbs convey an amorphous truth or experience, usually about frailty and the way that people intermingle with one another. When you think of one woman trying to lift a car; that is just absurd, but when others pitch in and help then it works better. That is an example of an African Proverb. It symbolizes how one person cant accomplish an abstruse task without it he help of others: If one finger tries to pick up something from the ground, it cannot. Ashanti (Ghana) In life we are faced with many disputes and sometimes may need help. As the proverb says you cant pick something up without the help of others. This instills manners, togetherness, and the fact that you are willing to take or get help from others. For some people this is a big step. This distinction examines the impact of family. People tend to take others or things for granted. What are you to do if one day you get into an accident and you legs get amputated? Without the help the doctor, there is no medical way that you will make it through that obstacle in your life. Finally, the day comes when you are about to graduate from high school, about to go into the working world and continue to further your education; you need not to forget where you come from. This is one example of a proverb that examines this: A river does not flow so far that it f...

ENTERPRISE-WIDE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (ERP) BEST PRACTICES Essay

ENTERPRISE-WIDE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (ERP) BEST PRACTICES - Essay Example Hence, the essay intends to review and present the assessment of the Delphi study on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) towards assessing impact of ERP in the supply chain management (Akkermans et al., 2003). The review of the article propounded that ERP plays a vital role in the process of SCM of an organization. In the article, few prominent aspects regarding ERP in supply chain management are highlighted. The first aspect deals with the various problems that may arise in the near future, if enterprise resource planning gets implemented in the process of SCM. Accordingly, it has been postulated that the delivery of products gets integrated between suppliers and consumers in the process of supply chain. Thus, a need to enhance supply chain process is advocated due to the due to consistent change as per the requirements of the suppliers and customers. It has been argued that excess time is consumed in the supply chain process and inventory management. The second aspect is associated with the effectiveness of ERP in the enterprise-wide resource management. Accordingly, it has been determined that ERP not only deliver positive involvement in the four issues of the supply chain, but it also provides support towards the enhancement in customization of goods and services. In addition, the review of the article revealed that ERP leads towards increasing the level in the process of supply chain and information management. It also linked world-wide market through the support of IT systems and generates transparency of the market. At the same time, the review of the article rendered few major limitations of ERP implementation that may hinder the smooth functioning of supply chain process (Akkermans et al., 2003). The exploratory findings by European executives lead to the justification that implementing ERP in the supply chain management renders positive impact on the growth of an organization as well as it creates hindrances in terms of strategic businesses.

Stratejik Financial Management, provide an evaluation of two projects, Essay

Stratejik Financial Management, provide an evaluation of two projects, both with five year expected lives and identical initial outlays of 110,000 - Essay Example A thorough analysis of what a business venture or investment will impart the company is one of the most important steps in sustaining profitability, maximizing company's resources, and accepting or rejecting prospective projects (Brealey et al, 2005). The payback period is regarded and widely used because of its relative simplicity. Managers prefer to use it because it is generally easy to memorize and to use (Peterson and Fabozzi, 2002). However, this technique disregards the additional cash flow which can be recouped from the project as it only focuses on the time when the whole investment will be recovered (Higgins 2005). Since the concern of the payback period is when, it does not really tell a business organization whether an investment is worth pursuing or not. Also, because of the relative view of managers on when the amount of investment should be recovered, there is no definite conclusion if project should be accepted or not. The following tables show the computation of the Net Present Value (NPVs) of the two projects under consideration. Using the expect annual cash flow, the computed NPV for project 1 is $31,740 while it is $34,200 for project 2. If NPV is only the man consideration of the business organization in capital budgeting decision, it is apparent that both of the projects should be accepted. It should be noted that using the NPV method, any project which does not yield zero NPV should be considered and pursued by the business organization. Thus, in the case of the evaluated projects above, both should be considered as they both yield positive values of NPV. 4. Explain the logic behind the NPV approach. Net Present Value (NPV) is the difference between the present value of cash inflows and the present value of cash outflows (Keown, et al, 2005). The Net Present Value (NPV) analysis is very much different from other capital budgeting techniques like payback period because it takes into account the time value of money. In the computation for total cash flow, it also takes into account the total cash flow from the investment including the depreciation and the tax shield resulting from it. Starting from the expected annual cash flows from the prospective project, managers should assign a specific required rate of return, that is, the rate of return that the companies want to generate from the investment. This is often indicated as an interest rate. For example, if the company's rate of return is 12%, the company will only accept investments which will yield 12% or higher. This method recognizes that the value of dollar today is greater than its expected value tomorrow. Thus, all the cas h flows are discounted according to the required rate of return. After generating the present value of all the expected future cash flows, it then takes the sum of these present values. Logically, if the sum is positive, it means that the project exceeds the required rate of return. In contrast, if the NPV is negative then the project fails to generate the set return. This technique is favored by more economists and managers because it is more realistic. 5. What would happen to NPV if the required rate